From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.44 [gcide]:
Optic \Op"tic\ ([o^]p"t[i^]k), Optical \Op"tic*al\ ([o^]p"t[i^]*kal), adjective [F. optique, Gr. 'optiko's; akin to 'o'psis sight, 'o'pwpa I have seen, 'o'psomai I shall see, and to 'o'sse the two eyes, 'o'ps face, L. oculus eye. See {Ocular}, {Eye}, and cf. {Canopy}, {Ophthalmia}.]
1. Of, pertaining to, or using vision or sight; as, optical illusions. [WordNet sense 2]
Syn: ocular, optic, visual. [1913 Webster + WordNet 1.5]
The moon, whose orb Through optic glass the Tuscan artist views. --Milton.
2. Of or pertaining to the eye; ocular; as, the optic nerves (the first pair of cranial nerves) which are distributed to the retina; the optic (or optical) axis of the eye. See Illust. of {Brain}, and {Eye}. [WordNet sense 3]
3. Relating to the science of optics or to devices designed to assist vision; as, optical works; optical equipment. [WordNet sense 1] [1913 Webster +PJC]
{Optic angle} (Opt.), the angle included between the optic axes of the two eyes when directed to the same point; -- sometimes called {binocular parallax}.
{Optic axis}. (Opt.) (a) A line drawn through the center of the eye perpendicular to its anterior and posterior surfaces. In a normal eye it is in the direction of the optic axis that objects are most distinctly seen. (b) The line in a doubly refracting crystal, in the direction of which no double refraction occurs. A uniaxial crystal has one such line, a biaxial crystal has two.
{Optical circle} (Opt.), a graduated circle used for the measurement of angles in optical experiments.
{Optical square}, a surveyor's instrument with reflectors for laying off right angles.
From WordNet (r) 2.0 [wn]:
optical
adjective
1: relating to or using sight; "ocular inspection"; "an optical illusion"; "visual powers"; "visual navigation" [syn: {ocular}, {optic}, {visual}]
2: of or relating to or involving light or optics; "optical supplies"
3: of or relating to or resembling the eye; "ocular muscles"; "an ocular organ"; "ocular diseases"; "the optic (or optical) axis of the eye"; "an ocular spot is a pigmented organ or part believed to be sensitive to light" [syn: {ocular}, {optic}, {opthalmic}]
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