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foci

 - 8 dictionary results

fo⋅ci

  [foh-sahy, -kahy]
Use foci in a Sentence
–noun
a pl. of focus.

fo⋅cus

  [foh-kuhs] noun, plural -cus⋅es, -ci  [-sahy, -kahy] , verb, -cused, -cus⋅ing or (especially British) -cussed, -cus⋅sing.
–noun
1. a central point, as of attraction, attention, or activity: The need to prevent a nuclear war became the focus of all diplomatic efforts.
2. Physics. a point at which rays of light, heat, or other radiation, meet after being refracted or reflected.
3. Optics.
a. the focal point of a lens.
b. the focal length of a lens.
c. the clear and sharply defined condition of an image.
d. the position of a viewed object or the adjustment of an optical device necessary to produce a clear image: in focus; out of focus.
4. Geometry. (of a conic section) a point having the property that the distances from any point on a curve to it and to a fixed line have a constant ratio for all points on the curve.
5. Geology. the point of origin of an earthquake.
6. Pathology. the primary center from which a disease develops or in which it localizes.
–verb (used with object)
7. to bring to a focus or into focus: to focus the lens of a camera.
8. to concentrate: to focus one's thoughts.
–verb (used without object)
9. to become focused.
Origin:
1635–45; < L: fireplace, hearth

Related forms:
fo⋅cus⋅a⋅ble, adjective
fo⋅cus⋅er, noun

Synonyms:
1. center, heart, core, nucleus.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To foci
fo·ci   (fō'sī', -kī')   
n.  A plural of focus.
fo·cus   (fō'kəs)   
n.   pl. fo·cus·es or fo·ci (-sī', -kī')

    1. A point at which rays of light or other radiation converge or from which they appear to diverge, as after refraction or reflection in an optical system: the focus of a lens. Also called focal point.

    2. See focal length.

    3. The distinctness or clarity of an image rendered by an optical system.

    4. The state of maximum distinctness or clarity of such an image: in focus; out of focus.

    5. An apparatus used to adjust the focal length of an optical system in order to make an image distinct or clear: a camera with automatic focus.

    1. The distinctness or clarity of an image rendered by an optical system.

    2. The state of maximum distinctness or clarity of such an image: in focus; out of focus.

    3. An apparatus used to adjust the focal length of an optical system in order to make an image distinct or clear: a camera with automatic focus.

  3. A center of interest or activity. See Synonyms at center.

  4. Close or narrow attention; concentration: "He was forever taken aback by [New York's] pervasive atmosphere of purposefulness—the tight focus of its drivers, the brisk intensity of its pedestrians" (Anne Tyler).

  5. A condition in which something can be clearly apprehended or perceived: couldn't get the problem into focus.

  6. Pathology The region of a localized bodily infection or disease.

  7. Geology The point of origin of an earthquake.

  8. Mathematics A fixed point whose relationship with a directrix determines a conic section.

v.   fo·cused or fo·cussed, fo·cus·ing or fo·cus·sing, fo·cus·es or fo·cus·ses

v.   tr.

  1. To cause (light rays, for example) to converge on or toward a central point; concentrate.

    1. To render (an object or image) in clear outline or sharp detail by adjustment of one's vision or an optical device; bring into focus.

    2. To adjust (a lens, for example) to produce a clear image.

  3. To direct toward a particular point or purpose: focused all their attention on finding a solution to the problem.

v.   intr.

  1. To converge on or toward a central point of focus; be focused.

  2. To adjust one's vision or an optical device so as to render a clear, distinct image.

  3. To concentrate attention or energy: a campaign that focused on economic issues.


[Latin, hearth.]
fo'cus·er n.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
Cite This Source
Word Origin & History

focus 
1644, from L. focus "hearth, fireplace," of unknown origin, used in post-classical times for "fire" itself, taken by Kepler (1604) in a mathematical sense for "point of convergence," perhaps on analogy of the burning point of a lens (the purely optical sense of the word may have existed before 1604, but it is not recorded). Introduced into Eng. 1656 by Hobbes. Sense transfer to "center of activity or energy" is first recorded 1796. The verb is first attested 1814 in the literal sense; the fig. sense is recorded earlier (1807).
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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Medical Dictionary

Main Entry: 2focus
Function: verb
Inflected Forms: fo·cused also fo·cussed; fo·cus·ing also fo·cus·sing
transitive senses
1 : to bring (as light rays) to a focus
2 a : to adjust the focus of (as the eye or a lens) b : to bring (as an image) into focus focus intransitive senses
1 : to come to a focus
2 : to adjust one's eye or a camera to aparticular range —fo·cus·able /-k&s-&-b&l/ adjective
Merriam-Webster's Medical Dictionary, © 2002 Merriam-Webster, Inc.
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Medical Dictionary

focus fo·cus (fō'kəs)
n. pl. fo·cus·es or fo·ci (-sī', -kī')

  1. A point at which rays of light or other radiation converge or from which they appear to diverge, as after refraction or reflection in an optical system. Also called focal point.

  2. See focal length.

  3. The distinctness or clarity of an image rendered by an optical system.

  4. The state of maximum distinctness or clarity of such an image.

  5. An apparatus used to adjust the focal length of an optical system in order to make an image distinct or clear.

  6. The region of a localized bodily infection or disease.

v. fo·cused or fo·cussed, fo·cus·ing or fo·cus·sing, fo·cus·es or fo·cus·ses

  1. To cause light rays or other radiation to converge on or toward a central point; concentrate.

  2. To render an object or image in clear outline or sharp detail by adjustment of one's vision or an optical device.

  3. To adjust a lens or instrument to produce a clear image.

  4. To converge on or toward a central point of focus; be focused.

The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
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Abbreviations & Acronyms
FOCI
[National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration] Fisheries-Oceanography Coordinated Investigations
The American Heritage® Abbreviations Dictionary, Third Edition
Copyright © 2005 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
Cite This Source
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