Tapetum
/ˈtæp.ɪ.təm/noun
A layer or covering, especially a reflective layer in the eye of many animals that improves night vision.
Did you know?The biological tapetum lucidum gets its name from Latin for a “shining carpet,” because it acts like a reflective layer behind the retina, bouncing light back through the eye.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*teh₂p-
“to cover or spread over”
Latin
Latin
tapetum
“a carpet, rug, or covering”
Late Latin
Latin
tapētum lucidum
“a shining covering; later the reflective eye layer”
Scientific Latin
Latin
tapetum
“the reflective layer behind the retina in some animals”
Modern English
English
tapetum
“the reflective layer in the eyes of many animals, or a covering layer in general”