optics
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)
- (physics) The physics of light and vision.
- 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, […] .
- (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."
- 2007 January 1, Mark Steyn, "Blowing a 'hinge moment' of history", in The Jerusalem Post:
Translations
physics of light and vision
|
public relations
Etymology 2
Noun
optics
Anagrams
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- English 2-syllable words
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- English terms derived from Medieval Latin
- English terms derived from Ancient Greek
- English terms suffixed with -ics
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