ocellus

noun

ocel·​lus ō-ˈse-ləs How to pronounce ocellus (audio)
plural ocelli ō-ˈse-ˌlī How to pronounce ocellus (audio) -(ˌ)lē How to pronounce ocellus (audio)
1
: a minute simple eye or eyespot of an invertebrate
2
: an eyelike colored spot (as on a peacock feather or the wings of some butterflies)
ocellar
ō-ˈse-lər How to pronounce ocellus (audio)
adjective

Word History

Etymology

New Latin, from Latin, diminutive of oculus eye — more at eye

First Known Use

1819, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of ocellus was in 1819

Dictionary Entries Near ocellus

ocellocular

ocellus

ocelot

See More Nearby Entries 

Cite this Entry

“Ocellus.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ocellus. Accessed 1 Dec. 2024.

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Medical Definition

ocellus

noun
ocel·​lus ō-ˈsel-əs How to pronounce ocellus (audio)
plural ocelli -ˈsel-ˌī How to pronounce ocellus (audio) -(ˌ)ē How to pronounce ocellus (audio)
: a minute simple eye or eyespot of an invertebrate
ocellar
ō-ˈsel-ər How to pronounce ocellus (audio)
adjective

More from Merriam-Webster on ocellus

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about ocellus

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