Compound eye

Pronunciation: /KOM-pound eye/

Category: Anatomy

Singular: Compound eye

Plural: Compound eyes

Definition

A type of eye found in arthropods, consisting of multiple small visual units called ommatidia, which together provide a broad field of vision and detect movement effectively.

Etymology

From Latin 'componere', meaning 'to put together'.

Example

The dragonfly uses its compound eyes to spot and capture prey with great precision.

Synonyms

Faceted eye

Related Terms

Ommatidia
Simple eye
Vision
Insect

Usage Notes

Compound eyes are characteristic of insects and some other arthropods, and their structure allows for wide-angle vision and quick detection of movement.