| E. Cobham Brewer 1810–1897. Dictionary of Phrase and Fable. 1898. |
| | | Eye. | | |
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Latin, oc’ulus; Italian, occhio; Spanish, ojo: Russian, oko; Dutch, oog; Saxon, eáge (where g is pronounced like y); French, œil. | 1 |
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In my mind’s eye. In my perceptive thought. The eye sees in two ways: (1) from without; and (2) from within. When we look at anything without, the object is reflected on the retina as on a mirror; but in deep contemplation the inward thought “informs the eye.” It was thus Macbeth saw the dagger; and Hamlet tells Horatio that he saw his deceased father “in his mind’s eye.” | 2 |
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In the wind’s eye. Directly opposed to the wind. | 3 |
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In the twinkling of an eye. Immediately, very soon. “Au moindre clin d’œil.” Similar phrases are: “In a brace of shakes,” “In the twinkling of a bed-post.” (See BED-POST.) | 4 |
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My eye! or Oh, my eye! an exclamation of astonishment. (See ALL MY EYE.) | 5 |
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One might see that with half an eye. Easily; at a mere glance. | 6 |
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The king’s eyes. His chief officers. An Eastern expression. | 7 |
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| Who in God’s presence, nearest to the throne |
| Stand ready at command, and are his eyes |
| That run thro all the heavens, or down to earth |
| Bear his swift errands.” | |
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Milton: Paradise Lost, iii. 652. |
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To have an eye on. To keep strict watch on the person or thing referred to. | 8 |
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To have an eye to the main chance. To keep constantly in view the profit to arise; to act from motives of policy. (See MAIN CHANCE.) | 9 |
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To see eye to eye. To be of precisely the same opinion; to think both alike. | 10 |
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