Pronunciation: [ˈə͡ʊsə͡ləɹi] (IPA) 
The spelling of the word "ocellary" is pronounced əʊˈsɛləri. It comes from the Latin word "ocellus" which means "little eye". The word "ocellary" is used to describe animals that have circular, eye-like markings on their bodies, such as on butterflies, fish or birds. The pronunciation of the word can be a bit tricky due to the "ce" sound in the middle of the word, which is pronounced as "s" rather than "k".
"Ocellary" is an adjective that pertains to the presence or formation of ocelli, which are small, round, or oval-shaped markings resembling eyes. Often used in the context of biology and zoology, "ocellary" describes the appearance, structure, or function of these eye-like spots found on animals, particularly insects and birds.
In biological terms, ocelli are specialized sensory organs that serve as simple visual receptors, located on the head or along the body of certain organisms. These structures typically lack a lens and are responsible for detecting light intensity, rather than forming detailed images. Ocelli are commonly found in insects like butterflies, beetles, and ants, as well as in some fish, reptiles, and crustaceans.
When used in reference to animals, "ocellary" emphasizes the presence or quantity of these distinctive eye-like marks. For instance, an ocellary butterfly would be one that displays clear ocelli on its wings. Similarly, an ocellary bird might possess eye-like patterns on its feathers or around its eyes. The term can also describe any characteristic or trait that is reminiscent of or strongly resembles an eye or ocellus in appearance, such as ocellary colors, ocellary patterns, or ocellary plumage.
The word "ocellary" is derived from the Latin word "ocellus", which means "little eye" or "eyelet". It is a diminutive form of "oculus", which means "eye". The term "ocellary" is often used to describe things that resemble or have characteristics of an eye or an eye-shaped spot.
