Optic axis

Optic axis
Optic Op"tic ([o^]p"t[i^]k), Optical Op"tic*al ([o^]p"t[i^]*kal), a. [F. optique, Gr. '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, L. oculus eye. See {Ocular}, {Eye}, and cf. {Canopy}, {Ophthalmia}.] 1. Of, pertaining to, or using vision or sight; as, optical illusions. [WordNet sense 2]

Syn: ocular, optic, visual. [1913 Webster + WordNet 1.5]

The moon, whose orb Through optic glass the Tuscan artist views. --Milton. [1913 Webster]

2. 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}. [WordNet sense 3] [1913 Webster]

3. Relating to the science of optics or to devices designed to assist vision; as, optical works; optical equipment. [WordNet sense 1] [1913 Webster +PJC]

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

{Optic axis}. (Opt.) (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} (Opt.), 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. [1913 Webster]


The Collaborative International Dictionary of English. 2000.

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  • Optic axis — Axis Ax is, n.; pl. {Axes}. [L. axis axis, axle. See {Axle}.] A straight line, real or imaginary, passing through a body, on which it revolves, or may be supposed to revolve; a line passing through a body or system around which the parts are… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • optic axis — n OPTICAL AXIS * * * optical axis 1. a. opticus. 2. the straight line that passes through the centers of the surfaces and the centers of curvature of a lens system. In a spherical system, it is the axis of symmetry, in the eye being the line… …   Medical dictionary

  • optic axis — n. in anisotropic crystals, a direction along which the velocity of light does not depend on the polarization of the light …   English World dictionary

  • optic axis — noun 1. in a doubly refracting crystal, the line in the direction of which no double refraction occurs a crystal may have either one or two optic axes • Hypernyms: ↑axis 2. a line that passes through the center of curvature of a lens so that… …   Useful english dictionary

  • optic axis — optinė ašis statusas T sritis fizika atitikmenys: angl. optic axis; optical axis vok. optische Achse, f rus. оптическая ось, f pranc. axe optique, m …   Fizikos terminų žodynas

  • Optic axis of a crystal — Axis Ax is, n.; pl. {Axes}. [L. axis axis, axle. See {Axle}.] A straight line, real or imaginary, passing through a body, on which it revolves, or may be supposed to revolve; a line passing through a body or system around which the parts are… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Optic axis of a crystal — For the axis of an optical system, see Optical axis. The optic axis of a crystal is the direction in which a ray of transmitted light suffers no birefringence (double refraction). Due to the internal structure of the crystal (the specific… …   Wikipedia

  • optic axis — noun Date: 1664 a line in a doubly refracting medium that is parallel to the direction in which all components of plane polarized light travel with the same speed …   New Collegiate Dictionary

  • optic axis — Crystall. (in a crystal exhibiting double refraction) the direction or directions, uniaxial or biaxial, respectively, along which this phenomenon does not occur. [1655 65] * * * …   Universalium

  • optic axis — op′tic ax′is n. cry the direction or directions in a crystal along which light is not doubly refracted • Etymology: 1655–65 …   From formal English to slang

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