I. ˈkȯ(r)nēə noun
( -s )
Etymology: Medieval Latin, from Latin, feminine of corneus horny — more at corneous
1. : the transparent part of the coat of the eyeball which covers the iris and pupil and admits light to the interior, which is of mesodermic origin and is covered externally by the ectodermic conjunctival epithelium, and which is composed of layers of interlacing fibers continuous with those of the sclerotic coat and united by a cementing substance — see eye illustration
2. : the outer transparent covering of the compound eyes of arthropods which is divided into small facets, each acting as a lens
II.
plural of corneum