ocellus

noun

ocel·​lus ō-ˈse-ləs How to pronounce ocellus (audio)
plural ocelli ō-ˈse-ˌlī How to pronounce ocellus (audio) -(ˌ)lē How to pronounce ocellus (audio)
1
: a minute simple eye or eyespot of an invertebrate
2
: an eyelike colored spot (as on a peacock feather or the wings of some butterflies)
ocellar
ō-ˈse-lər How to pronounce ocellus (audio)
adjective

Examples of ocellus in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Her tentacles are like wisps of spiderweb, each with an ocellus (an eye) at its base. — Mandy-Suzanne Wong, Longreads, 5 Feb. 2026

Word History

Etymology

New Latin, from Latin, diminutive of oculus eye — more at eye

First Known Use

1819, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of ocellus was in 1819

Rhymes for ocellus

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Browse Nearby Words

ocellocular
ocellus
ocelot
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Cite this Entry

“Ocellus.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ocellus. Accessed 8 Jul. 2026.

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Medical Definition

More from Merriam-Webster on ocellus

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about ocellus

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