optics

[ op-tiks ]

noun

1. (used with a singular verb) the branch of physical science that deals with the properties and phenomena of both visible and invisible light and with vision.
2. (used with a plural verb) the way a situation, action, event, etc., is perceived by the public or by a particular group of people:

   The optics on this issue are pretty good for the Democrats.

   Administrators worry about the bad optics of hiring new staff during a budget crisis.

optics

/ ˈɒptɪks /

noun

1. functioning as singular the branch of science concerned with vision and the generation, nature, propagation, and behaviour of electromagnetic light

optics

/ ŏp′tĭks /

1. The scientific study of light and vision. The study of optics led to the development of more general theories of electromagnetic radiation and theories of color.

optics

1. The branch of physics dealing with light . ( See electromagnetic waves , laser , lens , reflection , and refraction .)

Word History and Origins

Origin of optics¹

First recorded in 1570–80; from Medieval Latin optica, from Greek optiká “theory of the laws of light,” noun use of neuter plural of adjective optikós; optic, -ics

Example Sentences

This is because Starlink, rather than relying on fibre optics or cables to transmit data, uses a network of satellites in low Earth orbit.

From BBC

And it's true that with the support of her A-list husband and her powerful industry friends, Lively now has an upper hand in the optics.

From Salon

As the couple's grand finale in the UK, it made the optics around the service incredibly tense.

From BBC

A silent protest had been planned too, which would have seen locals turn their back on the American visitors - a potentially publicly awkward situation and poor optics for Mrs Vance.

From BBC

They are both serious men, more interested at this point in outcomes than optics.

From BBC

Related Words

• eyesight
• perception
• view