Definition of the word pupil

The word "pupil" comes from the Latin word "pupillus," which means "little boy" or "young child." In ancient Rome, a pupil was a young scholar learning under the guidance of a teacher or mentor. The term was later adopted in the field of optics to describe the central circle of the iris, as it was seen as a small, circular opening or "window" that receives and focuses light. The connection between the linguistic and optical meanings is thought to have been made due to the idea that the pupil, like a student, is responsible for receiving knowledge and information from its surroundings. Today, the term "pupil" is used universally to describe both the anatomical structure and the student or learner.