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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."

How to use cornea

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishThe clear dome at the front of the eye that light passes through first.

Common pairings
corneal transplant scratched cornea

Word forms

corneas plural, corneae plural, corneæ plural

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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.

Origin: Latin

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.

Definitions: FreeDict original editorial