OPTIC AXIS (optic axes)

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

IPA (US):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does optic axis mean? 

• OPTIC AXIS (noun)
  The noun OPTIC AXIS has 2 senses:

1. in a doubly refracting crystal, the line in the direction of which no double refraction occurs

2. a line that passes through the center of curvature of a lens so that light is neither reflected nor refracted

  Familiarity information: OPTIC AXIS used as a noun is rare.

 Dictionary entry details 

• OPTIC AXIS (noun)

Sense 1

Meaning:

In a doubly refracting crystal, the line in the direction of which no double refraction occurs

Classified under:

Nouns denoting cognitive processes and contents

Context example:

a crystal may have either one or two optic axes

Hypernyms ("optic axis" is a kind of...):

axis (a straight line through a body or figure that satisfies certain conditions)

Sense 2

Meaning:

A line that passes through the center of curvature of a lens so that light is neither reflected nor refracted

Classified under:

Nouns denoting cognitive processes and contents

Synonyms:

optic axis; principal axis

Context example:

in a normal eye the optic axis is the direction in which objects are seen most distinctly

Hypernyms ("optic axis" is a kind of...):

axis (a straight line through a body or figure that satisfies certain conditions)