retina

(ret'n ə)

noun pl. retinas or retinae

the innermost coat lining the interior of the eyeball, containing various layers of photoreceptive cells that are directly connected to the brain by means of the optic nerve

Origin: ML, prob. < L rete (gen. retis), net < IE base *ere-, loose, separate > Gr erēmos, solitary, Lith rẽtis, sieve & (prob.) L rarus, rare

See retina in American Heritage Dictionary 4

noun pl. ret·i·nas or ret·i·nae (rĕtˈn-ēˌ)
A delicate, multilayered, light-sensitive membrane lining the inner eyeball and connected by the optic nerve to the brain.

Origin:

Origin: Middle English

Origin: , from Medieval Latin rētina

Origin: , from Latin rēte, net

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Related Forms:

  • retˈi·nal adjective

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