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eye
[ ahy ]
noun
- the organ of sight, in vertebrates typically one of a pair of spherical bodies contained in an orbit of the skull and in humans appearing externally as a dense, white, curved membrane, or sclera, surrounding a circular, colored portion, or iris, that is covered by a clear, curved membrane, or cornea, and in the center of which is an opening, or pupil, through which light passes to the retina.
- the aggregate of structures situated within or near the orbit that assist, support, or protect the eye.
- this organ with respect to the color of the iris:
blue eyes.
- the region surrounding the eye:
a black eye; puffy eyes.
- sight; vision:
a sharp eye.
- the power of seeing; appreciative or discriminating visual perception:
the eye of an artist.
- a look, glance, or gaze:
to cast one's eye at a beautiful necklace.
- an attentive look, close observation, or watch:
to be under the eye of a guard.
- regard, view, aim, or intention:
to have an eye to one's own advantage.
- a manner or way of looking at something; judgment; opinion: We are all equal in the eyes of the law.
To my eye, it's a great plan.
We are all equal in the eyes of the law.
Evaluate the text with a critical eye.
- a center of light, intelligence, influence, etc.
- something resembling or suggesting the eye in appearance, shape, etc., as the opening in the lens of a camera, a peephole, or a buttonhole.
- Botany.
- the bud of a potato, Jerusalem artichoke, etc.
- a small, contrastingly colored part at the center of a flower.
- the central spot of a target; bull's-eye.
- a choice center cut of meat:
an eye of round; the eye of the rib.
- one of the round spots on the tail feathers of a peacock.
- the hole in a needle.
- a hole made in a thing for the insertion of some object, as the handle of a tool:
the eye of an ax.
- a metal or other ring through which something, as a rope or rod, is passed.
- the loop into which a hook is inserted.
- Electronics. a photoelectric cell or similar device used to perform a function analogous to visual inspection.
- Building Trades. a ring on the end of a tension member, as an eye bar or eye bolt, for connection with another member.
- a hole formed during the maturation of cheese, especially Emmenthaler or Gruyère.
- a loop worked at the end of a rope.
- Meteorology. the approximately circular region of relatively light winds and fair weather found at the center of a severe tropical cyclone.
- eyes, Nautical. the extreme forward part of the upper deck at the bow of a vessel.
- Nautical. the precise direction from which a wind is blowing.
verb (used with object)
- to fix the eyes upon; view:
to eye the wonders of nature.
- to observe or watch narrowly:
She eyed the two strangers with suspicion.
- to make an eye in:
to eye a needle.
verb (used without object)
- Obsolete. to appear to the eye.
eye
1/ aɪ /
eye
2/ aɪ /
noun
- the organ of sight of animals, containing light-sensitive cells associated with nerve fibres, so that light entering the eye is converted to nervous impulses that reach the brain. In man and other vertebrates the iris controls the amount of light entering the eye and the lens focuses the light onto the retina ocularoculateophthalmicoptic
- often plural the ability to see; sense of vision
weak eyes
- the visible external part of an eye, often including the area around it
heavy-lidded eyes
piercing eyes
- a look, glance, expression, or gaze
a stern eye
- a sexually inviting or provocative look (esp in the phrases give ( someone ) the ( glad ) eye, make eyes at )
- attention or observation (often in the phrases catch someone's eye, keep an eye on, cast an eye over )
- ability to recognize, judge, or appreciate
an eye for antiques
- often plural opinion, judgment, point of view, or authority
in the eyes of the law
- a structure or marking having the appearance of an eye, such as the bud on a twig or potato tuber or a spot on a butterfly wing
- a small loop or hole, as at one end of a needle
- a small area of low pressure and calm in the centre of a tornado or cyclone
- See photocell
- informal.See private eye
- all eyes informal.acutely vigilant or observant
the children were all eyes
- my eye or all my eye informal.rubbish; nonsense
- an eye for an eyeretributive or vengeful justice; retaliation
- cut one's eye after someone or cut one's eye at someone or cut one's eye on someoneto look rudely at a person and then turn one's face away sharply while closing one's eyes: a gesture of contempt
- eyes outwith every possible effort
he went at the job eyes out
- get one's eye insport to become accustomed to the conditions, light, etc, with a consequent improvement in one's performance
- half an eye
- a modicum of perceptiveness
anyone with half an eye can see she's in love
- continuing unobtrusive observation or awareness
the dog had half an eye on the sheep
- have eyes forto be interested in
she has eyes only for him
- in one's mind's eyepictured within the mind; imagined or remembered vividly
- in the public eyeexposed to public curiosity or publicity
- keep an eye open or keep an eye outto watch with special attention (for)
- keep one's eyes peeled or keep one's eyes skinnedto watch vigilantly (for)
- look someone in the eyeto look at someone openly and without shame or embarrassment
- make eyes or make sheep's eyes old-fashioned.to ogle amorously
- more than meets the eyehidden motives, meaning, or facts
- pick the eyes outto select the best parts or pieces (of)
- see eye to eyeto agree (with)
- set eyes on or lay eyes on or clap eyes onusually used with a negative to see
she had never laid eyes on him before
- the eye of the windnautical the direction from which the wind is blowing
- turn a blind eye to or close one's eyes toto pretend not to notice or ignore deliberately
- up to one's eyesextremely busy (with)
- with a … eyein a … manner
he regards our success with a jealous eye
- with an eye to or having an eye topreposition
- regarding; with reference to
with an eye to one's own interests
- with the intention or purpose of
with an eye to reaching agreement
- with one's eyes openin the full knowledge of all relevant facts
- with one's eyes shut
- with great ease, esp as a result of thorough familiarity
I could drive home with my eyes shut
- without being aware of all the facts
verb
- to look at carefully or warily
- Alsoeye up to look at in a manner indicating sexual interest; ogle
eye
/ ī /
- Anatomy.The vertebrate organ of sight, composed of a pair of fluid-filled spherical structures that occupy the orbits of the skull. Incoming light is refracted by the cornea of the eye and transmitted through the pupil to the lens, which focuses the image onto the retina.
- Zoology.An organ in invertebrates that is sensitive to light.
- Zoology.See more at compound eye
- Botany.A bud on a tuber, such as a potato.
- Meteorology.The relatively calm area at the center of a hurricane or similar storm.
- Meteorology.See more at hurricane
Derived Forms
- ˈeyeless, adjective
- ˈeyeˌlike, adjective
Other Words From
- eye·a·ble adjective
- eye·like adjective
- ey·er noun
- un·der·eye noun verb (used with object) undereyed undereying or undereyeing
- un·eye·a·ble adjective
Word History and Origins
Origin of eye1
Word History and Origins
Origin of eye1
Idioms and Phrases
- my eye! Informal. (a mild exclamation of contradiction or surprise):
He says he wasn't told about this? My eye!
- an eye for an eye, repayment in kind, as revenge for an injustice.
- be all eyes, to give all one's attention to something; look intently.
- catch someone's eye, to draw or attract someone's attention:
to catch the waiter's eye.
- give (someone) the eye, Informal. to look fixedly at (another person), especially with obvious admiration; ogle:
She ignored the men who were giving her the eye.
- have an eye for, to have the ability to appreciate distinctions in; be discerning or perceptive about:
She has an eye for antique furniture.
- have eyes only for, Also only have eyes for.
- to want no other person or thing but:
She was always surrounded by admirers, but she had eyes only for Harry.
- to see, or view, or desire to see only.
- in a pig's eye, Slang. absolutely not; never:
In a pig's eye I will!
- keep an eye on, to watch over attentively:
Please keep an eye on my plants while I'm away.
- keep an eye out for, to be vigilant in looking or watching for:
The announcer told his listeners to keep an eye out for the escaped criminal.
- keep one's eye on the ball, to remain attentive; be especially alert.
- keep one's eyes open, to be especially alert or observant.
- lay / clap / set eyes on, Informal. to catch sight of; see:
They had never laid eyes on such a big car before.
- make eyes at, to gaze flirtatiously or amorously at.
- open one's eyes, to bring someone to a realization of the truth or of something previously unknown:
A trip through Asia opened his eyes to the conditions under which millions had to live.
- pick the eyes out, Australia and New Zealand. to select the best parts or items.
- run one's eye over, to glance briefly at; examine hastily.
- see eye to eye, to have exactly the same opinion; agree:
They have never been able to see eye to eye on politics.
- see with half an eye, to see or realize immediately or with ease:
Anyone can see with half an eye that the plan is doomed to fail.
- shut one's eyes to, to refuse to see or consider; disregard:
We can no longer shut our eyes to the gravity of the situation.
- sight for sore eyes, a welcome sight; a pleasant surprise:
After our many days in the desert, the wretched village was a sight for sore eyes.
- with an eye to, with a plan or purpose of:
with an eye to one's future.
- with one's eyes open, aware of the inherent or potential risks:
She signed the papers with her eyes open.
More idioms and phrases containing eye
- all eyes
- apple of one's eye
- believe one's ears (eyes)
- bird's-eye view
- black eye
- bright-eyed and bushy-tailed
- catch someone's eye
- close one's eyes
- cry one's eyes out
- eagle eye
- easy on the eyes
- evil eye
- feast one's eyes on
- give someone the once-over (eye)
- green-eyed monster
- have an eye for
- have one's eye on
- hit between the eyes
- hit the bull's-eye
- in a pig's eye
- in one's mind's eye
- in the eye of the wind
- in the public eye
- in the twinkling of an eye
- keep an eye on
- keep an eye out
- keep a weather eye
- keep one's eye on the ball
- keep one's eyes open
- lay eyes on
- look someone in the face (eye)
- make eyes at
- more than meets the eye
- my eye
- naked eye
- one eye on
- open one's eyes
- out of the corner of one's eye
- private eye
- pull the wool over someone's eyes
- run one's eyes over
- see eye to eye
- see with half an eye
- sight for sore eyes
- stars in one's eyes
- throw dust in someone's eyes
- turn a blind eye
- up to one's ears (eyes)
- with an eye to
- with one's eyes open
- without batting an eye
Example Sentences
The numbers reinforce another article in the Post, in which cops confessed to “turning a blind eye” to minor crimes.
This attack, coming just days after the PlayStation DDoS, was certainly an eye-opener.
They eye the door anxiously, convinced that at any moment, a Pakistani or Iranian intelligence officer will come barging in.
Nervous fans can keep a vigilant eye on it via a webcam hosted on the town website that offers 24-hour goat viewing.
I think part of being in the public eye is getting recognized, and dealing with positive and negative scrutiny.
But Lucy had noted, out of the corner of her watchful eye, the arrival of Miss Grains, indignant and perspiring.
As his eye became accustomed to the gloom, David Arden saw traces of gilding on the walls.
As small letters weary the eye most, so also the smallest affairs disturb us most.
Ripperda's eye fell upon the mantle,—it was discoloured a dark red in many places, he nodded his head, and the man withdrew.
The noise of the hammer is always in his ears, and his eye is upon the pattern of the vessel he maketh.
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Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
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