eye

eye or private eye [ī]

n.

[ME ey, eie < OE ēage, akin to Ger auge < IE base * okw-, to see > Gr osse, eyes, ōps, face, eye, L oculus]

1. the organ of sight in humans and animals

2.

a) the eyeball

b) the iris [brown eyes]

3. the area around the eye, including the eyelids [to get a black eye]

4. [often pl.] the power of seeing; sight; vision [weak eyes]

5. a look; glance; gaze [to cast an eye on something]

6. attention; regard; observation

7. the power of judging, estimating, discriminating, etc. by eyesight [a good eye for distances]

8. [often pl.] judgment; opinion; estimation [in the eyes of the law]

9. a thing like an eye in appearance or function; specif.,

a) a bud of a tuber, as a potato

b) the spot on a peacock's tail feather

c) the center of a flower; disk

d) a hole in a tool, as for a handle

e) the threading hole in a needle

f) a loop of metal, rope, or thread [hook and eye]

g) an organ sensitive to light, as in certain lower forms of life

h) PHOTOELECTRIC CELL

i) a section of any of certain cuts of meat [eye of round]

j) a hole, as in certain cheeses

10. Slang former a private detective; private eye

11. Meteorol. the calm, low-pressure area at the center of a hurricane, around which winds of high velocity move

12. [pl.] Naut. the part of the main deck of a vessel that is farthest forward

vt.

eyed, eyeing or eying

1. to look at; watch carefully; observe

2. to provide with eyes, or holes

vi.

Obs. to appear (to the eyes)

to appear (to the eyes)

——————

all eyes

extremely attentive

——————

an eye for an eye

punishment or retaliation similar or equivalent to the injury suffered

——————

catch someone's eye

to attract someone's attention

——————

eyes right or eyes left

Mil. a command to snap the head to the right (or left) while marching, as a salute when passing in review

——————

feast one's eyes on

to look at with pleasure or admiration

——————

☆ give someone the eye

Slang to look at someone, esp. in an admiring or inviting way

——————

have an eye for

to have a keen appreciation of

——————

have an eye to

to watch out for; attend to

——————

have eyes for

Informal to be very interested in and want

——————

in a pig's eye

Slang never; under no circumstances

——————

in the eye of the wind

Naut. directly against the wind

——————

in the public eye

1. much seen in public

2. often brought to public attention; well-known

——————

keep an eye on

to look after; watch carefully

——————

☆ keep an eye out for

to be watchful for keep one's eyes ( or an eye) open ( or peeled or skinned)

——————

keep an eye open or keep an eye peeled or keep one's eyes open or keep one's eyes peeled or keep one's eyes skinned or keep an eye skinned

to be on the lookout; be watchful

——————

lay eyes on or set eyes on or clap eyes on

to see; look at

——————

make eyes at

to look at amorously or flirtatiously

——————

my eye!

Slang an exclamation of contradiction, astonishment, etc.

——————

open someone's eyes

to make someone aware of the facts, real reasons, etc.

——————

run one's eye over

to glance at hurriedly

——————

see eye to eye

to agree completely

——————

see with half an eye

to see or understand (something) easily because it is so evident

——————

shut one's eyes to

to refuse to see or think about

——————

with an eye to

paying attention to; considering