Definition

A small unit that resembles a simple eye, which is part of the compound eye found in insects and some other arthropods.

Example

The ommatidia in a fly's eye allow it to see a wide field of view.

Conversation

Have you ever heard of an ommatidium?

Yeah, I read that it's part of how insects see, right?

Exactly! Each ommatidium works like a tiny eye.

That's so cool! I never knew they had such unique structures.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Root Explanation

Ommatidium → It is formed from "omma" (from Greek ὄμμα, meaning eye) and "-idium" (a diminutive suffix in Greek). The word refers to a small eye, specifically one of the individual units in compound eyes of arthropods.

Memory Tip

Think of 'omma' meaning 'eye' in Greek, and remember that 'ommatidium' refers to a small eye, like those found in insects.

Visually Confused Words