spherical aberration

noun

1. variation in focal length of a lens or mirror from center to edge, due to its spherical shape.

spherical aberration

noun

1. physics a defect of optical systems that arises when light striking a mirror or lens near its edge is focused at different points on the axis to the light striking near the centre. The effect occurs when the mirror or lens has spherical surfaces See also aberration

spherical aberration

/ sfîr′ĭ-kəl /

1. See under aberration

Word History and Origins

Origin of spherical aberration¹

First recorded in 1865–70