optics

American  

[op-tiks] / ˈɒp tɪks /

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.

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optics British  

/ ˈɒptɪks /

noun

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

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optics Scientific  

/ 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.

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optics Cultural  

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

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Etymology

Origin of optics

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

"We were excited to be able to combine results from experiment and theory, across physics, chemistry, and optics, to learn something new about electron dynamics in the complex liquid environment."

From Science Daily

As protesters take on a powerful opposition, a silly costume takes control of the optics.

From BBC

Swedish soldiers participating in the exercise were handed $20,000 night-vision optics that broke because the aluminum in the goggles couldn’t handle the minus 40 degree Fahrenheit conditions.

From The Wall Street Journal

“The optics of this are terrible in the context of an ongoing war,” said Mark Bathgate, chief executive of Tweeddale Advisors, a policy consultant in London for investment firms.

From The Wall Street Journal

Thousands of ecstatic supporters greeted her in the Norwegian capital, a publicity coup for the opposition and another round of bad optics for Maduro’s embattled administration.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• eyesight
• perception
• view