Meaning & use
optics
Last updated
The branch of physics that studies light and its behavior, including its interaction with lenses and mirrors.
See it in a sentence
She studied optics to understand how telescope lenses focus distant starlight.
The engineer used principles of optics to design a more efficient camera lens.
A note on using this word
In everyday and political language, 'optics' has come to mean how an action or decision appears to the public, as in 'the optics of the meeting were bad,' distinct from its scientific sense.
Another way to use it
2. noun
The way an action, decision, or event is likely to be perceived by the public.
Canceling the charity event so close to the scandal created bad optics for the company.
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