Dictionary
1eye
noun \ˈī\
: the part of the body that you see with
: an ability to understand and appreciate something seen
—used to describe the way something looks to you
Full Definition of EYE
1
a : a specialized light-sensitive sensory structure of animals that in nearly all vertebrates, most arthropods, and some mollusks is the image-forming organ of sight; especially : the nearly spherical usually paired hollow organ of sight in vertebrates that is filled with a jellylike material, is lined with a photosensitive retina, and is lodged in a bony orbit in the skull b : all the visible structures within and surrounding the orbit and including eyelids, eyelashes, and eyebrows c (1) : the faculty of seeing with eyes (2) : the faculty of intellectual or aesthetic perception or appreciation <an eye for beauty> (3) : skill or ability dependent upon eyesight <a batter with a good eye> d : look, glance <cast an eager eye> e (1) : an attentive look <kept an eye on his valuables> (2) : attention, notice <caught his eye> (3) : close observation : scrutiny <works under the eye of her boss> <in the public eye> f : point of view, judgment <beauty is in the eye of the beholder> —often used in plural <an offender in the eyes of the law>
2
: something having an appearance suggestive of an eye: as a : the hole through the head of a needle b : a usually circular marking (as on a peacock's tail) c : loop; especially : a loop or catch to receive a hook d : an undeveloped bud (as on a potato) e : an area like a hole in the center of a tropical cyclone marked by only light winds or complete calm with no precipitation f : the center of a flower especially when differently colored or marked; specifically : the disk of a composite g (1) : a triangular piece of beef cut from between the top and bottom of a round (2) : the chief muscle of a chop (3) : a compact mass of muscular tissue usually embedded in fat in a rib or loin cut of meat h : a device (as a photoelectric cell) that functions in a manner analogous to human vision
3
: something central : center <the eye of the problem — Norman Mailer>
4
: the direction from which the wind is blowing
— eye·less \ˈī-ləs\ adjective
— eye·like \-ˌlīk\ adjective
— an eye for an eye
: retribution in kind
— my eye
—used to express mild disagreement or sometimes surprise <a diamond, my eye! That's glass>
— with an eye to also with an eye toward
1
: with awareness or contemplation of <with an eye to the future>
2
: with the object of <built the house with an eye to adding on later>
See eye defined for English-language learners
See eye defined for kids
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Origin of EYE
Middle English, from Old English ēage; akin to Old High German ouga eye, Latin oculus, Greek ōps eye, face, Sanskrit akṣi eye
First Known Use: before 12th century
Other Anatomy Terms
2eye
verb
: to watch or look at (someone or something) in a very close or careful way
eyedeye·ing or ey·ing
Full Definition of EYE
transitive verb
1
a (1) : to fix the eyes on : look at <they eyed him suspiciously> (2) : contemplate, consider <eyeing the choices> b : to watch or study closely <eyeing changes in the stock market>
2
: to furnish with an eye
intransitive verb
See eye defined for English-language learners
First Known Use of EYE
15th century
EYEING Defined for Kids
1eye
noun \ˈī\
Definition of EYE for Kids
1
: the organ of seeing that in vertebrates is a round organ filled with a jellylike material, is located in a bony cavity in the skull, and has a lens which focuses light on the retina
2
: the eye along with its surrounding parts (as the eyelids)
3
: the colored surface of the iris <He has blue eyes.>
4
: the ability to see <I have good eyes.>
5
: the ability to recognize or appreciate <He has a good eye for color.>
6
: 2glance <It caught my eye.>
7
: close attention : watch <Keep an eye on dinner.>
8
: judgment 1 <They are guilty in the eyes of the law.>
9
: something like or suggesting an eye <the eye of a needle>
10
: the center of something <the eye of a hurricane>
— eyed \ˈīd\ adjective
— eye·less \ˈī-ləs\ adjective
Headscratcher for EYE
Eye is the only body part that is spelled the same forwards and backwards.
2eye
verb
eyedeye·ing or ey·ing
Definition of EYE for Kids
: to look at : watch closely <They eyed the stranger suspiciously.>
Medical Dictionary
eye
noun \ˈī\
Medical Definition of EYE
1
: an organ of sight; especially : a nearly spherical hollow organ that is lined with a sensitive retina, is lodged in a bony orbit in the skull, is the vertebrate organ of sight, and is normally paired
2
: all the visible structures within and surrounding the orbit and including eyelids, eyelashes, and eyebrows
3
: the faculty of seeing with eyes
—eye·less \ˈī-ləs\ adjective
—eye·like \-ˌlīk\ adjective
Learn More About EYE
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Seen & Heard
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