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eye·spot

(īspŏt′)

1. A light-sensitive organelle of certain chiefly unicellular organisms, such as euglenas and some motile algae.

2. A simple visual organ of certain invertebrates, consisting of a cluster of photoreceptor cells and pigment cells.

3. A rounded eyelike marking, as on the wings of certain butterflies.

4. Any of several fungal diseases that affect grasses and are characterized by oval lesions.

(click for a larger image)

eyespot

on a butterfly wing

Indo-European & Semitic Roots Appendices

Thousands of entries in the dictionary include etymologies that trace their origins back to reconstructed proto-languages. You can obtain more information about these forms in our online appendices:

Indo-European Roots

Semitic Roots

The Indo-European appendix covers nearly half of the Indo-European roots that have left their mark on English words. A more complete treatment of Indo-European roots and the English words derived from them is available in our Dictionary of Indo-European Roots.

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