defocus

American  

[dee-foh-kuhs] / diˈfoʊ kəs /

verb (used with object)

defocused, defocusing, defocussed, defocussing

1. to cause loss of focus of.

   The slightest movement will defocus the microscope.

2. to interrupt or disturb (concentration, attention, etc.).

3. to disturb the concentration or awareness of (someone).

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verb (used without object)

defocused, defocusing, defocussed, defocussing

1. to lose or go out of focus.

2. to lose concentration or awareness; become distracted.

noun

defocuses plural

1. the result of defocusing, as a blurred photographic image.

Other Word Forms

Inflected Forms

noun

• defocuses
  plural

Etymology

Origin of defocus

First recorded in 1930–35; de- + focus

Example Sentences

I took this camera out for a day in Brooklyn to put its in-camera stabilization, defocus mode, and mic to the test.

From The Verge • Oct. 6, 2021

Do you prep, defocus to clear your head for the next day’s possibilities, socialise, stay isolated and meditative?

From The Guardian • Jun. 12, 2020

The higher contrast full dose average was also calculated and used for defocus determination and for manual particle picking.

From Nature • Apr. 18, 2016

To express boredom, an anthropomorphic device may defocus its gaze, direct its gaze in a downward fashion, tap its foot, and/or close its eyes.

From Time • May 22, 2015

Didn't you ever stop to think that a few air molecules could defocus the stream?

From Teething Ring by Francis, Dick