barrel distortion

noun

Optics.

1. a distortion produced by a lens in which the magnification decreases toward the edge of the field.

barrel distortion

noun

1. photog distortion of an image produced by an optical system that causes straight lines at image margins to bulge outwards

Word History and Origins

Origin of barrel distortion¹

First recorded in 1885–90

Example Sentences

The screen is a 19-inch 4:3 LCD, with a custom barrel distortion filter designed to emulate the style of classic CRT monitors.

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The sides instead of being straight bow outwards: this is called barrel distortion.

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