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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.
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

"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
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.

optics Cultural  

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

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

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

"The sensor worked exceptionally well, showing that integrating optics, nanomaterials and biology can be an effective strategy to optimize a device," said Zhang.

From Science Daily

The institute's infrastructure is a world-wide unique combination of precision as well as quantum optics laboratories and state-of-the-art cleanroom facilities.

From Science Daily

William Blair analyst Sebastien Naji wrote on Tuesday that this decision highlights the company’s desire to capture the entire AI market, by “providing a comprehensive set of products from silicon to optics, hardware, and software.”

From Barron's

Despite the political optics and all the noise, the Warsh nomination does not meaningfully change the balance of risks for investors today.

From MarketWatch

It was her diplomatic debut, and the optics were striking: fists pumping as the US president praised her in front of thousands of US soldiers.

From BBC

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.