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

plural

defocuses

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

Etymology

Origin of defocus

First recorded in 1930–35; de- + focus

Example Sentences

Up top is a new physical switch for power along with a mode switching button, a record button, and a background defocus button.

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

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

For the analysis of the TcdA1 pore complex, 605 images were taken at a magnification of ×124.472 and a defocus range of 0.4–2.9 µm.

From Nature • Apr. 4, 2014

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

From Teething Ring by Francis, Dick