Optic

Optic (op"tik) , noun

[From Optic, a.]

The organ of sight; an eye.

The difference is as great between The optics seeing, as the object seen. — Pope

An eyeglass. [Obsolete] — Herbert

Optic (op"tik) , adjective

[French optique, Greek 'optiko`s; akin to 'o`psis sight, 'o`pwpa I have seen, 'o`psomai I shall see, and to 'o`sse the two eyes, 'o`ps face, Latin oculus eye. See Ocular, Eye, and compare Canopy, Ophthalmia.]

Of, pertaining to, or using vision or sight; as, optical illusions.

The moon, whose orb Through optic glass the Tuscan artist views. — Milton

Of or pertaining to the eye; ocular; as, the optic nerves (the first pair of cranial nerves) which are distributed to the retina; the optic (or optical) axis of the eye. See Illust. of Brain, and Eye.

Relating to the science of optics or to devices designed to assist vision; as, optical works; optical equipment.

Collocations (4)

Optic angle (Optics) , the angle included between the optic axes of the two eyes when directed to the same point; -- sometimes called binocular parallax.

Optic axis (Optics) , (a) A line drawn through the center of the eye perpendicular to its anterior and posterior surfaces. In a normal eye it is in the direction of the optic axis that objects are most distinctly seen. (b) The line in a doubly refracting crystal, in the direction of which no double refraction occurs. A uniaxial crystal has one such line, a biaxial crystal has two.

Optical circle (Optics) , a graduated circle used for the measurement of angles in optical experiments.

Optical square , a surveyor's instrument with reflectors for laying off right angles.

Also: Optical