circle of confusion

American  

noun

Photography.

1. a circular spot on a film, resulting from the degree to which a pencil of light reflected from the field of view is focused in front of or behind the film, or from aberration of the lens, or from both.

---

Etymology

Origin of circle of confusion

First recorded in 1905–10

Example Sentences

James sat with his face in his hands, utterly wretched, beginning already to see the great circle of confusion that he had caused.

From The Hero by Maugham, W. Somerset (William Somerset)