Reading Theme:
Iris Definition: Eye Part vs Flower Explained (2 meaning)
Meaning 1：colored part of the eye (iris)
iris
/ˈaɪrɪs/
n.
The colored ring around the black pupil of your eye. It controls how much light gets in.
colored part of the eye
➕
/ˈkʌlərd pɑːrt əv ði aɪ/
n.
The iris is the colored circular membrane in the eye that surrounds the pupil and regulates light entry by adjusting its size.
📘 Details & Usage
📖 Root Explanation
Derived from Greek 'iris' meaning 'rainbow'. Used for the eye part and flower due to their colorful, rainbow-like appearance.
💡 Mnemonic
Think of 'iris' as a tiny rainbow: your eye's iris has rainbow-like colors, and iris flowers bloom with a spectrum of hues in gardens.
📖 Example
My baby's iris is a unique shade of hazel that seems to change in different lights.
The iris of my baby's eye has a unique hazel color that appears to change under different lighting conditions.
🔗 Collocations
iris scan – a biometric identification method using the unique patterns of the iris
dilated iris – an iris that has expanded, often due to medical conditions or eye drops
🔄 Synonyms
eye's colored ring (n.) – the circular colored area around the pupil
🌱 Derivatives
iridal (adj.) – relating to the iris of the eye
📖 Cultural Story
The word 'iris' originates from Ancient Greek, where Iris was the goddess of the rainbow. This mythological link explains its adoption for the multicolored part of the eye and the vibrant iris flower, both symbolizing diversity and visual beauty in English vocabulary.
Meaning 2：garden flower with showy blooms (iris)
iris
/ˈaɪrɪs/
n.
A type of garden flower with long, straight leaves and large, colorful, showy blooms.
garden flower with showy blooms
➕
/ˈɡɑːrdən ˈflaʊər wɪð ˈʃoʊi bluːmz/
n.
An iris is a perennial flowering plant known for its distinctive, often brightly colored flowers with three drooping petals and three upright standards.
📘 Details & Usage
📖 Example
We planted a row of purple iris along the fence, and they look spectacular every spring.
We planted a row of purple iris along the fence, and they look spectacular every spring.
🔗 Collocations
bearded iris – a common type of iris flower with a fuzzy 'beard' on the falls
iris bulb – the underground storage organ from which iris plants grow
🔄 Synonyms
flag (n.) – another name for certain types of iris flowers, especially in some regions
🌱 Derivatives
iridaceous (adj.) – belonging to the iris family of plants
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