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plano-convex

American  
[pley-noh-kon-veks, -kon-veks, -kuhn-] / ˌpleɪ noʊˈkɒn vɛks, -kɒnˈvɛks, -kən- /

adjective

Optics.
  1. pertaining to or noting a lens that is plane on one side and convex on the other.


plano-convex British  
/ ˌpleɪnəʊˈkɒnvɛks /

adjective

  1. (of a lens) having one side convex and the other side plane

"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

Etymology

Origin of plano-convex

First recorded in 1655–65; plano- 1 + convex

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.

See Examples For:

A complete plano-convex ingot has been uncovered in Sweden for the first time.

From Science Daily Nov. 23, 2025

To test the new method, the researchers first created a simple plano-convex lens and showed that it had an imaging resolution comparable to a commercial glass lens with the same physical dimensions.

From Science Daily May 9, 2024

Figure 27.35 “Newton's rings” interference fringes are produced when two plano-convex lenses are placed together with their plane surfaces in contact.

From Textbooks Aug. 12, 2015

The centre of each side is occupied by a plano-convex lens, something similar to a burning-glass, having a diameter of about fifteen inches.

From Smeaton and Lighthouses A Popular Biography, with an Historical Introduction and Sequel by Smeaton, John

By making use of two plano-convex lenses placed together as at Fig.

From Wireless Transmission of Photographs Second Edition, Revised and Enlarged 1919 by Martin, Marcus J.

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