Schwarzes im Auge

German

Etymology

Literally: the “black in the eye”. The use for the pupil and the iris as a whole could be based on the contrast to the white of the sclera. However, if it were a loan translation of Latin nigrum oculi, it could also be due to the stark prevalence of dark-coloured eyes in most parts of the Mediterranean.

Noun

Schwarzes im Auge n (genitive Schwarzen im Auge, no plural)

  1. (colloquial) the pupil
    Das Schwarze im Auge wird größer, wenn man das Licht ausmacht.
    The pupil gets bigger when you turn off the light.
  2. (colloquial, dated) the not white parts of the eye; the pupil and the iris

Declension

  • See the neuter singular forms of the adjective schwarz.

Synonyms

Antonyms

  • Weißes im Auge
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