[op-tiks] 
) | the branch of physical science that deals with the properties and phenomena of both visible and invisible light and with vision. |
| op·tic (ŏp'tĭk) adj.
[Middle English optik, from Old French optique, from Medieval Latin opticus, from Greek optikos, from optos, visible; see okw- in Indo-European roots.] |
| op·tics (ŏp'tĭks) 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. |
The branch of physics dealing with light. (See electromagnetic waves, laser, lens, reflection, and refraction.)
optic op·tic (ŏp'tĭk) or op·ti·cal (ŏp'tĭ-kəl)
adj.
Of or relating to the eye or vision.
Of or relating to the science of optics or optical equipment.
optics op·tics (ŏp'tĭks)
n.
The science concerned with the properties of light, its refraction and absorption, and the refracting media of the eye.
| optic (ŏp'tĭk) Pronunciation Key
Relating to or involving the eye or vision. |
| optics (ŏp'tĭks) Pronunciation Key
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. |