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ommatidium

(äm′ə tid′ē əm)

any of the structuralelements forming the compound eye of an insect, many crustaceans, etc.: each element is a complete photoreceptor in itself, having a lens, pigment, light-sensitive cells, etc.

Origin: ModL, dim. < Gr omma (gen. ommatos), the eye, akin to ōps, eye

Related Forms:

ommatidial adjective

See ommatidium in American Heritage Dictionary 4

noun pl. om·ma·tid·i·a (-ē-ə)

One of the structural elements, resembling a single simplified eye, that make up the compound eye of insects and other arthropods.

Origin:

Origin: New Latin

Origin: , diminutive of Greek omma, ommat-, eye; see ok^w- in Indo-European roots

Related Forms:

omˌma·tidˈi·al (-ē-əl) adjective

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