iris

/ˈaɪrɪs/
noun
  1. The colored part of the eye that surrounds the pupil and controls how much light enters.
    • Her iris is a striking shade of green.
    • The doctor examined my iris to check for signs of disease.
    • When light is bright, the iris contracts to make the pupil smaller.
  2. A type of plant with tall, sword-shaped leaves and showy flowers, often purple, blue, yellow, or white.
    • Irises are popular in gardens because they are easy to care for.
    • She planted purple irises along the garden path.
    • The iris blooms in late spring and adds a lot of color to the yard.
  3. A device with an adjustable opening used in cameras and optical instruments to control the amount of light passing through.
    • A camera's iris works like the human eye to manage exposure.
    • The telescope's iris was opened wide to capture the faint stars.
    • The photographer adjusted the iris to let in more light for the dark scene.
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