optics

From Wiktionary, the free dictionary
Archived revision by 86.153.213.81 (talk) as of 03:04, 2 January 2020.
Jump to navigation Jump to search
See also: òptics

English

Pronunciation

  • Lua error in Module:parameters at line 290: Parameter 1 should be a valid language or etymology language code; the value "RP" is not valid. See WT:LOL and WT:LOL/E. IPA(key): /ˈɒptɪks/
  • Lua error in Module:parameters at line 290: Parameter 1 should be a valid language or etymology language code; the value "GA" is not valid. See WT:LOL and WT:LOL/E. IPA(key): /ˈɑptɪks/

Etymology 1

From Medieval Latin opticus (optic, optical), from Ancient Greek ὀπτικός (optikós), equivalent to optic +‎ -ics.

Noun

optics (uncountable)

  1. (physics) The physics of light and vision.
  2. The light-related aspects of a device.
    The optics of this telescope are particularly good.
    • 2013 September-October, Henry Petroski, “The Evolution of Eyeglasses”, in American Scientist:
      Digging deeper, the invention of eyeglasses is an elaboration of the more fundamental development of optics technology. The ability of a segment of a glass sphere to magnify whatever is placed before it was known around the year 1000, when the spherical segment was called a reading stone, [] .
  3. (figuratively) Perception, image, public relations.
    • 2007 January 1, Mark Steyn, "Blowing a 'hinge moment' of history", in The Jerusalem Post:
      [] I'd be interested to know whether US authorities proffered any "advice" on the optics: Ixnay on the torture dungeon, [] ; if you have to have victims' loved ones present, go for the widows and photogenic orphans rather than Moqtada's boys.
    • 2015 September 28, Dan Neil, quoted in "Pope Francis and the little black car", BBC News:
      "There's also a gentle nod to the Vatican and Italy, which shows the Pope is not above playing a little optics - I'm sure he and the CEO of Fiat have met."
Translations

Etymology 2

Noun

optics

  1. plural of optic

Anagrams