Iris

:For uses as an abbreviation, see IRIS

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Iris has three main meanings, unrelated except for their derivation from the Greek word for rainbow:

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• Iris (mythology), a messenger of the gods in Greek mythology, identified with the rainbow
• Iris (anatomy), the sphincter around the pupil of the eye, named for the color in human and animal eyes
• Iris (plant), a colorful genus of flowering plants, named for the rainbow
• Terms derived from the three main meanings:
• 7 Iris, an asteroid named for the mythological figure
• USS Iris, one of several ships in the US Navy, also named for the mythological figure
• Iris (color), an ambiguous color term, ranging from blue-violet to violet, derived from the flower
• A feminine name, derived from either the myth, the flower, or the word "rainbow" itself
• Hurricane Iris, one of three tropical cyclones in the Atlantic

In technology:

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• Iris (camera), a mechanical device which mimics the function of the biological iris
• Iris (diaphragm), any such mechanical device, as used in doors, pipes, and electrical engineering

In the arts:

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• Irises (painting), a painting of iris flowers, by Vincent Van Gogh
• Iris (opera), an opera by Pietro Mascagni
• Iris print, an early name for a giclée print

In popular culture:

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• Iris (2001 film), about Iris Murdoch
• Iris magazine, a Dutch comic magazine
• IRIS (band), a Romanian hard-rock band
• Iris (band), a Texas-based synthpop band
• Iris (band), a French/British instrumental rock band
• Iris (song), a song by The Goo Goo Dolls from the film City of Angels
• Iris (Stargate), a fictional device in the television show Stargate SG-1
• Iris of Illusion, a fictional queen in Piers Anthony's Xanth novels
• Iris (Management Festival), the annual management festival of Indian Institute of Management Indore (IIMI)

In business:

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• Iris Associates, the company which developed Lotus Notes
• Iris Fund for Prevention of Blindness
 
Iris: See also ►