catacaustic

[ kat-uh-kaw-stik ]

adjective

1. noting a caustic surface or curve formed by the reflection of light.

noun

1. a catacaustic surface or curve.

catacaustic

/ ˌkætəˈkɔːstɪk; -ˈkɒs- /

adjective

1. (of a caustic curve or surface) formed by reflected light rays Compare diacaustic

noun

1. a catacaustic curve or surface

Word History and Origins

Origin of catacaustic¹

First recorded in 1700–10; cata- + caustic

Example Sentences

We have in like manner, as derivatives of a given curve, the caustic, catacaustic or diacaustic as the case may be, and the secondary caustic, or curve cutting at right angles the reflected or refracted rays.

From Project Gutenberg

In optics, the term caustic is given to the envelope of luminous rays after reflection or refraction; in the first case the envelope is termed a catacaustic, in the second a diacaustic.

From Project Gutenberg