paraxial

[ par-ak-see-uhl ]

adjective

, Optics.

1. making a small angle with and lying close to the axis of an optical system:

   paraxial ray.

paraxial

/ pæˈræksɪəl /

adjective

1. physics (of a light ray) parallel to the axis of an optical system

Word History and Origins

Origin of paraxial¹

First recorded in 1860–65; par- + axial