Meaning: eye

Illustrative Context

She closed one eye.

Target Sense

• The basic term for the human eye.
• Follow normal usage in the language, rather than technical anatomical definitions of what constitutes the ‘eye’.
• The lexeme selected must be able to refer to at least the part of the eye visible in the face, whether or not its usual reference can extend to the whole eyeball, the eyelids, tear duct, and so on.
• Avoid terms specifically for the whole eyeball, or particular parts of the eye (e.g. iris).
• The generic term in most languages will also be applicable to the eyes of animals, but do not select a term that can be applied only to animals. The lexeme selected must be the basic word for the human eye.
• The default sense is the physical one, referring to the part of the body, not the functional sense of the organ for the sense of sight.
• Avoid terms used primarily to refer not to the anatomical eye, but to figurative senses of vision, watching or attentiveness.
• Give the singular form, avoiding special dual/plural formations (e.g. the lexeme to give for French is oeil, not yeux).
• Neutral, default register: avoid technical, medical terms, and slang or jocular terms.