Of or relating to the science of optics or optical equipment.
n.
An eye.
Any of the lenses, prisms, or mirrors of an optical instrument.
[Middle English optik, from Old French optique, from Medieval Latin opticus, from Greek optikos, from optos, visible; see okw- in Indo-European roots.]
1541, from M.Fr. optique, obtique (c.1300), from M.L. opticus "of sight or seeing," from Gk. optikos "of or having to do with sight," from optos "seen, visible," from op-, root of opsesthai "be going to see," related to ops "eye," from PIE *oqw- "eye/see" (see eye). Optics "science of sight and light" is from 1579; optician is first attested 1687, after Fr. opticien.
Main Entry: 1op·tic Pronunciation: 'äp-tik Function: adjective 1 a: of or relating to vision <optic phenomena> b: dependent chiefly on vision for orientation optic animals> 2 a: of or relating to the eye :OCULAR b: affecting the eye or an optic structure
Main Entry: 2optic Function: noun 1: any of the elements (as lenses, mirrors, or light guides) of an optical instrument or system —usually usedin plural 2: an optical instrument