i•ris
Pronunciation: (ī'ris), [key]
— n., pl. v. i•ris•es, ir•i•des
—n.
- the contractile, circular diaphragm forming the colored portion of the eye and containing a circular opening, the pupil, in its center. See diag. under
- any plant of the genus Iris, having showy flowers and sword-shaped leaves. Cf. iris family.
- a flower of this plant.
- (cap.)a messenger of the gods, regarded as the goddess of the rainbow.
- a rainbow.
- any appearance resembling a rainbow.
- an iris-in or iris-out.
- See
—v.i.
- to begin or end a take or scene with an iris-in or iris-out, achieved by manipulation of an iris diaphragm on the camera or by editing the film.
I•ris
Pronunciation: (ī'ris), [key]
— n.
- a female given name.
Random House Unabridged Dictionary, Copyright © 1997, by Random House, Inc., on Infoplease.