ˈaɪlɪt n. & v. --n. 1 a
small hole in
paper,
leather,
cloth,
etc.,
for string or
rope etc. to pass
through. 2 a
metal ring
reinforcement for
this. 3 a small
eye,
esp.
the ocellus on a butterfly's
wing (cf. EYE n. 11a). 4 a
form of
decoration in
embroidery. 5 a small hole for
observation,
shooting through, etc. --v.tr. (eyeleted, eyeleting)
provide with eyelets. [ME f. OF oillet dimin. of
oil eye f. L oculus]