ˈɔptɪk adj. & n. --adj. of or relating to
the eye or
vision (optic nerve). --n. 1 a
lens etc. in an
optical instrument. 2
archaic or joc. the eye. 3 (Optic)
Brit. propr. a
device fastened to the
neck of a
bottle for measuring
out spirits etc. øoptic
angle the angle formed by
notional lines
from the extremities of an
object to the eye, or by lines from the eyes to a
given point. optic axis 1 a line
passing through the
centre of
curvature of a lens or
spherical mirror and parallel to the axis of
symmetry. 2 the
direction in a doubly refracting
crystal for
which no
double refraction occurs. optic
lobe the
dorsal lobe in the
brain from which the optic
nerve arises. [F optique or med.L opticus f. Gk optikos f. optos seen]