Schwarzes im Auge

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.

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

• See the neuter singular forms of the adjective schwarz.

• (pupil): Pupille

• Weißes im Auge