OPTICS

optics

(noun) optical properties; “the optics of a telescope”

optics

(noun) the branch of physics that studies the physical properties of light

Source: WordNet® 3.1


Etymology 1

Noun

optics (uncountable)

(physics) The physics of light and vision.

The light-related aspects of a device.

(figuratively) Perception, image, public relations.

Etymology 2

Noun

optics

plural of optic

Anagrams

• copist, cops it, picots, postic, topics

Source: Wiktionary


Op"tics, n. Etym: [Cf. F. optique, L. optice, Gr. Optic.]

Definition: That branch of physical science which treats of the nature and properties of light, the laws of its modification by opaque and transparent bodies, and the phenomena of vision.

OPTIC

Op"tic, n. Etym: [From Optic, a.]

1. The organ of sight; an eye. The difference is as great between The optics seeing, as the object seen. Pope.

2. An eyeglass. [Obs.] Herbert.

Op"tic, Op"tic*al, a. Etym: [F. optique, Gr. oculus eye. See Ocular, Eye, and cf. Canopy, Ophthalmia.]

1. Of or pertaining to vision or sight. The moon, whose orb Through optic glass the Tuscan artist views. Milton.

2. Of or pertaining to the eye; ocular; as, the optic nerves (the first pair of cranial nerves) which are distributed to the retina. See Illust. of Brain, and Eye.

3. Relating to the science of optics; as, optical works. Optic angle (Opt.), the angle included between the optic axes of the two eyes when directed to the same point; -- sometimes called binocular parallax.

– Optic axis. (Opt.) (a) A line drawn through the center of the eye perpendicular to its anterior and posterior surfaces. In a normal eye it is in the direction of the optic axis that objects are most distinctly seen. (b) The line in a doubly refracting crystal, in the direction of which no double refraction occurs. A uniaxial crystal has one such line, a biaxial crystal has two.

– Optical circle (Opt.), a graduated circle used for the measurement of angles in optical experiments.

– Optical square, a surveyor's instrument with reflectors for laying off right angles.

Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition



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Word of the Day

19 June 2025

ROOTS

(noun) the condition of belonging to a particular place or group by virtue of social or ethnic or cultural lineage; “his roots in Texas go back a long way”; “he went back to Sweden to search for his roots”; “his music has African roots”


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Coffee Trivia

In 1511, leaders in Mecca believed coffee stimulated radical thinking and outlawed the drink. In 1524, the leaders overturned that order, and people could drink coffee again.

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