optic

[ op-tik ]

adjective

1. of or relating to the eye or sight.
2. optical.

noun

1. the eye.
2. a lens of an optical instrument.

optic

¹

/ ˈɒptɪk /

adjective

1. of or relating to the eye or vision
2. a less common word for optical

noun

1. an informal word for eye 1

Optic

²

/ ˈɒptɪk /

noun

1. a device attached to an inverted bottle for dispensing measured quantities of liquid, such as whisky, gin, etc

optic

/ ŏp′tĭk /

1. Relating to or involving the eye or vision.

Other Words From

• inter·optic adjective
• non·optic adjective
• post·optic adjective
• pre·optic adjective
• sub·optic adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of optic¹

1535–45; < Medieval Latin opticus < Greek optikós, equivalent to opt ( ós ) seen (verbid of ópsesthai to see) + -ikos -ic

Word History and Origins

Origin of optic¹

C16: from Medieval Latin opticus, from Greek optikos, from optos visible, seen; related to ōps eye

Example Sentences

One source said the staff are "beyond livid", another described the situation as "mental", and one said the "optics are mind-blowing".

From BBC

The nature of optics, or how the eye sees as light’s conduit, is the focus of an altarpiece fragment by Giotto from the San Diego Museum of Art.

From Los Angeles Times

“To mask the true levels of gas emissions and create a misleading optic, defendant deliberately avoided testing during the periods of peak emission.”

From Los Angeles Times

The optics of their three-decade age gap weren’t ideal for them either.

From Los Angeles Times

The customs documents obtained by the BBC suggest that Rama Group made two shipments to Moscow of high-end optics that can be used in missiles, tanks and aircraft.

From BBC