eyeball
eyeball (colloquialism)
/ˈaɪˌbɔl/
Meaning
Verb Form
- To estimate or judge something by visual assessment without precise measurement.
- To stare at someone intently.
Informal Usage
- To look at or observe closely; to scrutinize.
- Individuals who view or read content, such as television programs or websites; often used in marketing contexts to denote audience size.
Anatomical Structure
- The spherical capsule of the vertebrate eye, comprising the sclera and cornea along with their internal components.
- The entire round part of the eye, including the part that cannot usually be seen.
Example Sentences
- The doctor examined the patient’s eyeball for any signs of infection.
- The website redesign aimed to attract more eyeballs to increase ad revenue.
- During the meeting, she couldn’t help but eyeball the tempting pastries on the table.
- Without a measuring tape, he had to eyeball the length of the wood plank.
- The two competitors stood eyeball to eyeball, each refusing to back down.
Origin and History
The term “eyeball” is a compound word combining “eye” and “ball.” The word “eye” originates from the Old English “ēage,” tracing back to the Proto-Germanic “*augon” and the Proto-Indo-European root “*okw-,” meaning “to see.” The addition of “ball” likely refers to the spherical shape of the eye.
Earliest Recorded Use
The Oxford English Dictionary cites the earliest known use of “eyeball” in the late 1500s. Specifically, it appears in the writings of William Patten in 1575.
Evolution of Usage
Initially, “eyeball” referred strictly to the anatomical globe of the eye. Over time, its usage expanded. In contemporary contexts, especially in marketing and media, “eyeballs” denote viewers or audience members, highlighting the term’s metaphorical evolution.
Variants
- eyeballing (present participle)
- eyeballed (past tense)
- eyeballs (plural noun or third-person singular verb)
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