noun
cornea
KAW-nee-uh
Cornea (noun) means the clear, curved outer layer covering the front of the eye, over the iris and pupil. Example: “A scratched cornea can be extremely painful.”
noun
1
The clear, curved outer layer covering the front of the eye, over the iris and pupil.
"A scratched cornea can be extremely painful."
"The corneae were swollen without major infiltrates similar to longstanding disciform edema."
— R. Sundmacher, Connatal Monosymptomatic Corneal Endotheliitis by Cytomegalovirus (1981)
How to use cornea
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishThe clear dome at the front of the eye that light passes through first.
Common pairings
corneal transplant
scratched cornea
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Word forms
- Plural
- corneas, corneae, corneæ
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
A scratched _____ can be extremely painful.
Etymology
From Latin "cornea tela" ("horny tissue"), from "cornu" ("horn"), describing its tough, translucent texture.
Rhymes for cornea
See all rhymes for cornea →Frequently asked questions
What does “cornea” mean?
The word “cornea” means the clear, curved outer layer covering the front of the eye, over the iris and pupil. In plain terms, the clear dome at the front of the eye that light passes through first.
How do you pronounce “cornea”?
“Cornea” is pronounced KAW-nee-uh (/ˈkɔː(ɹ)ni.ə/ in IPA).
How do you use “cornea” in a sentence?
Here is “cornea” used in a sentence: “A scratched cornea can be extremely painful.”
What part of speech is “cornea”?
“Cornea” is a noun.
Where does the word “cornea” come from?
The word “cornea” comes from Latin. From Latin "cornea tela" ("horny tissue"), from "cornu" ("horn"), describing its tough, translucent texture.
