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cornea

[kawr-nee-uh]
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noun Anatomy.
  1. the transparent anterior part of the external coat of the eye covering the iris and the pupil and continuous with the sclera.
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Origin of cornea

1350–1400; Middle English < Medieval Latin cornea (tēla, later tunica) horny (web or tunic), feminine of corneus corneous
Related formscor·ne·al, adjectivemul·ti·cor·ne·al, adjectivepre·cor·ne·al, adjective
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

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British Dictionary definitions for corneal

cornea

noun plural -neas (-nɪəz) or -neae (-nɪˌiː)
  1. the convex transparent membrane that forms the anterior covering of the eyeball and is continuous with the sclera
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Derived Formscorneal, adjective

Word Origin

C14: from Medieval Latin cornea tēla horny web, from Latin cornū horn
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for corneal

cornea

n.

late 14c., from Medieval Latin cornea tela "horny web or sheath," from Latin cornu (genitive cornus) "horn" (see horn (n.)). So called for its consistency. Related: Corneal.

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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
corneal in Medicine

cornea

(kôr′nē-ə)
n.
  1. The transparent, convex, anterior portion of the outer fibrous coat of the eyeball that covers the iris and the pupil and is continuous with the sclera.
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Related formscor′ne•al adj.
The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
corneal in Science

cornea

[kôr′nē-ə]
  1. The tough transparent membrane of the outer layer of the eyeball that covers the iris and the pupil.
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The American Heritage® Science Dictionary Copyright © 2011. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
corneal in Culture

cornea

[(kawr-nee-uh)]

The transparent outer covering of the front of the eye that covers the iris and pupil.

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The New Dictionary of Cultural Literacy, Third Edition Copyright © 2005 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.