ocellus

noun

ocel·lus ō-ˈse-ləs

plural ocelli ō-ˈse-ˌlī

-(ˌ)lē

: a minute simple eye or eyespot of an invertebrate

: an eyelike colored spot (as on a peacock feather or the wings of some butterflies)

ocellar

ō-ˈse-lər

adjective

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

See more words from the same year

Style

“Ocellus.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ocellus. Accessed 22 Nov. 2024.

Copy Citation

ocellus

noun

ocel·lus ō-ˈsel-əs

plural ocelli -ˈsel-ˌī

-(ˌ)ē

: a minute simple eye or eyespot of an invertebrate

ocellar

ō-ˈsel-ər

adjective

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