binocular

[ buh-nok-yuh-ler, bahy- ]

/ bəˈnɒk yə lər, baɪ- /

noun

Usually binoculars. Also called pair of binoculars, prism binoculars. an optical device, providing good depth effect, for use with both eyes, consisting of two small telescopes fitted together side by side, each telescope having two prisms between the eyepiece and objective for erecting the image.

adjective

involving both eyes: binocular vision.

RELATED WORDS

lorgnette, pince-nez

Nearby words

Origin of binocular

First recorded in 1705–15; bin- + ocular

Related formsbin·oc·u·lar·i·ty, nounbin·oc·u·lar·ly, adverb

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for binocular

Binocular vision overcomes any annoyance due to the blind-spots because they do not overlap in the visual field.
Visual Illusions|Matthew Luckiesh
He saw the binocular in Mrs. Damerel's hand, and at the same moment read detection on her countenance.
In the Year of Jubilee|George Gissing
A binocular, small but extremely efficient in its magnifying power he withdrew, dusting the lenses with the sleeve of his shirt.
Rim o' the World|B. M. Bower
Just as the horses reached the post, the Sharpshooter slipped in, breathless and fumbling at the catch of his binocular case.
Old Man Curry|Charles E. (Charles Emmett) Van Loan

This division of labour, in binocular vision, is of obvious advantage.
Response in the Living and Non-Living|Jagadis Chunder Bose

British Dictionary definitions for binocular

binocular

/ (bɪˈnɒkjʊlə, baɪ-) /

adjective

involving, relating to, seeing with or intended for both eyesbinocular vision

Word Origin for binocular

C18: from bi- 1 + Latin oculus eye

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for binocular

binocular

adj.

1738, "involving both eyes," earlier "having two eyes" (1713), from French binoculaire, from Latin bini "two by two, twofold, two apiece" (see binary) + ocularis "of the eye," from oculus "eye" (see eye (n.)). The double-tubed telescopic instrument (1871, short for binocular glass) earlier was called a binocle. Related: Binocularity.

Medicine definitions for binocular

binocular

[ bə-nŏk′yə-lər, bī- ]

adj.

Adapted to the use of both eyes. Used of an optical instrument.

Science definitions for binocular

binocular

[ bə-nŏk′yə-lər ]

Adjective

Relating to or involving both eyes at once, as in binocular vision.

Noun

An optical device, such as a pair of field glasses, consisting of two small telescopes, designed for use by both eyes at once. Often used in the plural as binoculars.