Iridic
/ɪˈrɪdɪk/noun
Relating to the iris of the eye or to iridium and its compounds, depending on context.
Did you know?In Greek mythology, Iris traveled between gods and humans along the rainbow, which is why the eye’s colored membrane and the rainbow both became associated with the same word.
Etymological Timeline
Ancient Greek
Greek
ἶρις (îris)
“Rainbow; Iris, the divine messenger goddess; later, the iris of the eye and the iris flower”
Latin
Latin
iris
“Rainbow, iris of the eye, or iris flower”
17th Century
English
iris
“The colored part of the eye and a flowering plant named for its rainbow-like colors”
19th Century
English
iridium
“A chemical element named from iris because of the striking colors of many of its compounds”
19th–20th Century
English
iridic
“Formed with the scientific suffix -ic to mean relating to the iris or to iridium”
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