/uy"ris/ , n. , pl. irises, irides /ir"i deez', uy"ri-/ , v.
n.
1. Anat. the contractile, circular diaphragm forming the colored portion of the eye and containing a circular opening, the pupil, in its center. See diag. under eye .
2. Bot. any plant of the genus Iris, having showy flowers and sword-shaped leaves. Cf. iris family .
3. a flower of this plant.
4. ( cap. ) Class. Myth. a messenger of the gods, regarded as the goddess of the rainbow.
5. a rainbow.
6. any appearance resembling a rainbow.
7. Motion Pictures , Television. an iris-in or iris-out.
8. Optics , Photog. See iris diaphragm .
v.i.
9. Motion Pictures. 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.
[ 1350-1400; ME Iris, iris Îris, îris rainbow, goddess of the rainbow, halo, iris flower or root, iridescent crystal; in some senses ]