pupil

views 2,779,395 updated May 21 2018

pu·pil¹ / ˈpyoōpəl/ • n. a student in school.pu·pil² • n. the dark circular opening in the center of the iris of the eye, varying in size to regulate the amount of light reaching the retina.DERIVATIVES: pu·pil·lar·y / ˈpyoōpəˌlerē/ (also pu·pil·ar·y) adj.

The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English

pupil

views 3,769,674 updated May 23 2018

pupil In the structure of the eye, circular aperture through which light falls onto the lens; it is located in the centre of the iris. Its diameter changes by reflex action of the iris to control the amount of light entering the eye.

World Encyclopedia

pupil

views 1,538,956 updated May 23 2018

pupil2 circular opening in the iris of the eye. XVI. — (O)F. pupille or L. pūpilla, dim. of pūpa girl, doll, pupil of the eye (see prec.). The application of the L. words to the pupil of the eye is based on, or parallel to, that of Gr. kórē- maiden, girl, doll, pupil (the allusion being to the tiny images of persons and things that may be seen therein).

The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology T. F. HOAD

pupil

views 3,555,604 updated Jun 27 2018

pupil1 orphan who is a minor and hence a ward XIV; one under instruction XVI. — (O)F. pupille m. and fem. or its source, L. pūpillus, -illa orphan, ward, dim. of pūpus boy, pūpa girl.

The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology T. F. HOAD

pupil

views 3,896,178 updated May 14 2018

pupil (pew-pil) n. the circular opening in the centre of the iris, through which light passes into the lens of the eye.
—pupillary (pew-pil-er-i) adj.

A Dictionary of Nursing