ocellus

[oh-sel-uh s] /oʊˈsɛl əs/
noun, plural ocelli
[oh-sel-ahy] /oʊˈsɛl aɪ/ (Show IPA)
1.
a type of simple eye common to invertebrates, consisting of retinal cells, pigments, and nerve fibers.
2.
an eyelike spot, as on a peacock feather.
Origin
1810-20; < Latin: little eye, diminutive of oculus eye; see -elle
Examples from the web for ocellus
  • Color pattern distinct among snakeheads with dark chevrons on sides and large ocellus centered on caudal peduncle.
British Dictionary definitions for ocellus

ocellus

/ɒˈsɛləs/
noun (pl) -li (-laɪ)
1.
the simple eye of insects and some other invertebrates, consisting basically of light-sensitive cells
2.
any eyelike marking in animals, such as the eyespot on the tail feather of a peacock
3.
(botany)
  1. an enlarged discoloured cell in a leaf
  2. a swelling on the sporangium of certain fungi
Derived Forms
ocellar, adjective
ocellate (ˈɒsɪˌleɪt), ocellated (ˈɒsɪˌleɪtɪd) adjective
ocellation, noun
Word Origin
C19: via New Latin from Latin: small eye, from oculus eye
ocellus in Science
ocellus
  (ō-sěl'əs)   
Plural ocelli (ō-sěl'ī')

  1. A small, simple eye or eyespot, found in many invertebrates.

  2. A marking that resembles an eye, as on the wings of some butterflies.