tapetum
/təˈpiːtəm
/noun Zoology
A reflective layer of the choroid in the eyes of many animals, causing them to shine in the dark.Passing over the ship's holds I look down upon sedate shoals of crescent-tailed bigeyes, their reflective tapetums looking like silver cataracts....
- This ‘eyeshine’ is not the iris color but that of the vascular membrane - the tapetum - showing through the translucent pigment layer on the surface of the retina.
- A layer of tapetum at the back of their eyes greatly increases their ability to see at night as well; this also makes their eyes glow in the dark.
Origin
Early 18th century: from late Latin, from Latin tapete 'carpet'.
- parapenter
- parapet
- parapetalous
- parapeted
- parapetless
- parapet line
- parapet wall
- paraph
- paraphasia
- paraphasic
- paraphenylenediamine
- parapherna
- paraphernal
- paraphernalia
- paraphernaul
- paraphilia
- paraphiliac
- paraphilic
- paraphimosis
- paraphimotic
- paraphonic
- paraphrasability
- paraphrasable
- paraphrase
- paraphraser