Skip to definition.
Get the FREE one-click dictionary software for Windows or the iPhone/iPad and Android apps


Noun: myosis (myoses)  mI'ow-sis
  1. An acute infectious disease occurring in epidemic form and featuring paroxysms of pain (usually in the chest)
    - epidemic pleurodynia, epidemic myalgia, diaphragmatic pleurisy, Bornholm disease
     
  2. Reflex contraction of the sphincter muscle of the iris in response to a bright light (or certain drugs) causing the pupil to become smaller
    - light reflex, pupillary reflex, miosis

Derived forms: myoses

Type of: epidemic disease, inborn reflex, innate reflex, instinctive reflex, physiological reaction, reflex, reflex action, reflex response, unconditioned reflex

Encyclopedia: Myosis