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optics

   Also found in: Medical, Acronyms, Encyclopedia, Wikipedia, Hutchinson 0.04 sec.
op·tics  (ptks)
n. (used with a sing. verb)
The branch of physics that deals with light and vision, chiefly the generation, propagation, and detection of electromagnetic radiation having wavelengths greater than x-rays and shorter than microwaves.
optics
Noun
the science dealing with light and vision
optics  (ptks)
The scientific study of light and vision. The study of optics led to the development of more general theories of electromagnetic radiation and theories of color.
ThesaurusLegend:  Synonyms Related Words Antonyms
Noun1.opticsoptics - the branch of physics that studies the physical properties of light
meniscus - (optics) a lens that is concave on one side and convex on the other
natural philosophy, physics - the science of matter and energy and their interactions; "his favorite subject was physics"
catoptrics - branch of optics dealing with formation of images by mirrors
holography - the branch of optics that deals with the use of coherent light from a laser in order to make a hologram that can then be used to create a three-dimensional image
stigmatism - (optics) condition of an optical system (as a lens) in which light rays from a single point converge in a single focal point
astigmatism, astigmia - (optics) defect in an optical system in which light rays from a single point fail to converge in a single focal point
collimate - adjust the line of sight of (an optical instrument)
refract - subject to refraction; "refract a light beam"
reflect - show an image of; "her sunglasses reflected his image"
resolve - make clearly visible; "can this image be resolved?"
aberrate - diverge or deviate from the straight path; produce aberration; "The surfaces of the concave lens may be proportioned so as to aberrate exactly equal to the convex lens"
2.optics - optical properties; "the optics of a telescope"
property - a basic or essential attribute shared by all members of a class; "a study of the physical properties of atomic particles"
Translations
Spanish optics [ˈɔptɪks] n → óptica
French optics [ˈɔptɪks] n → optique f
German optics [ˈɔptɪks] n → Optik f
Italian optics [ˈɔptɪks] n → ottica
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Photography has given us proofs of the incomparable beauty of our satellite; all is known regarding the moon which mathematical science, astronomy, geology, and optics can learn about her.
From The Earth To The Moon by Verne, Jules View in context
Yet those same bleared optics had a strange, penetrating power, when it was their owner's purpose to read the human soul.
The Scarlet Letter by Hawthorne, Nathaniel View in context
She screwed her dim optics to their acutest point, in the hope of making out, with greater distinctness, a certain window, where she half saw, half guessed, that a tailor's seamstress was sitting at her work.
House Of Seven Gables by Hawthorne, Nathaniel View in context
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