dark adaptation

noun

, Ophthalmology.

1. the reflex adaptation of the eye to dim light, consisting of a dilatation of the pupil and an increase in the number of functioning rods accompanied by a decrease in the number of functioning cones ( light adaptation ).

Other Words From

• dark-a·dapted adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of dark adaptation¹

First recorded in 1905–10

Example Sentences

Guillermo del Toro picked up the best animation prize for his dark adaptation of the classic children's tale Pinocchio.

From BBC

Roberto Benigni stars in director Matteo Garrone’s dark adaptation of “Pinocchio,” the classic tale of an artisan who creates a son out of wood.

From Los Angeles Times

It’s the first time showrunner Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa’s dark adaptation of the Archie Comics saga has directly acknowledged the existence of its lighter, 20th century sister series — and the result is an absolute scream in more ways than one.

From Los Angeles Times

A phone is portable light pollution, however: It can take 30 minutes to regain dark adaptation after a peek at the screen.

From Washington Post

It’s a kind of dark adaptation of the Teen Titans series, and it looks like it’s being stylized in an interesting way, with the special effects intentionally taking on a look that plays up the comic book roots.

From The Verge