zīlīte

From zīle (“acorn”) +‎ -īte (“dim.”).

• IPA^(key): [zīːlìːtɛ]

zīlīte f (5th declension)

1. diminutive of zīle
2. (anatomy) pupil (opening in the iris through which light reaches the retina)

   sašaurinātas zīlītes ― contracted, constricted pupils

   paplašinātas zīlītes ― dilated pupils

3. tit, titmouse (small passerine bird, gen. Parus)

   meža zīlīte ― forest tit

   pelēka zīlīte ― willow tit (lit. gray tit)

   purva zīlīte ― marsh tit

   lielā (speķa, tauku) zīlīte ― big (or fat) tit

In the sense “small passerine bird, tit” zīlīte is much more frequently used than the non-diminutive form zīle.

• (of "pupil"): redzoklis

• acs