Word Meanings - OPTICS - Book Publishers vocabulary database

That branch of physical science which treats of the nature and properties of light, the laws of its modification by opaque and transparent bodies, and the phenomena of vision.

Related words: (words related to OPTICS)

• LIGHT
  licht, OHG. lioht, Goth. liuhap, Icel. lj, L. lux light, lucere to 1. That agent, force, or action in nature by the operation of which upon the organs of sight, objects are rendered visible or luminous. Note: Light was regarded formerly
• BRANCHIOSTOMA
  The lancelet. See Amphioxus.
• MODIFICATION
  The act of modifying, or the state of being modified; a modified form or condition; state as modified; a change; as, the modification of an opinion, or of a machine; the various modifications of light. Bentley.
• OPAQUENESS
  The state or quality of being impervious to light; opacity. Dr. H. More.
• TRANSPARENT
  transparere to be transparent; L. trans across, through + parere to 1. Having the property of transmitting rays of light, so that bodies can be distinctly seen through; pervious to light; diaphanous; pellucid; as, transparent glass; a transparent
• VISIONARY
  1. Of or pertaining to a visions or visions; characterized by, appropriate to, or favorable for, visions. The visionary hour When musing midnight reigns. Thomson. 2. Affected by phantoms; disposed to receive impressions on the imagination; given
• PHENOMENALISM
  That theory which limits positive or scientific knowledge to phenomena only, whether material or spiritual.
• LIGHTSOME
  1. Having light; lighted; not dark or gloomy; bright. White walls make rooms more lightsome than black. Bacon. 2. Gay; airy; cheering; exhilarating. That lightsome affection of joy. Hooker. -- Light"some*ly, adv. -- Light"some*ness, n. Happiness
• BRANCHLESS
  Destitude of branches or shoots; without any valuable product; barren; naked.
• PHENOMENAL
  Relating to, or of the nature of, a phenomenon; hence, extraordinary; wonderful; as, a phenomenal memory. -- Phe*nom"e*nal*ly, adv.
• OPAQUE
  1. Impervious to the rays of light; not transparent; as, an opaque substance. 2. Obscure; not clear; unintelligible.
• LIGHTNESS
  The state, condition, or quality, of being light or not heavy; buoyancy; levity; fickleness; delicacy; grace. Syn. -- Levity; volatility; instability; inconstancy; unsteadiness; giddiness; flightiness; airiness; gayety; liveliness; agility;
• LIGHT-ARMED
  Armed with light weapons or accouterments.
• BRANCHING
  Furnished with branches; shooting our branches; extending in a branch or branches. Shaded with branching palm. Milton.
• LIGHTERAGE
  1. The price paid for conveyance of goods on a lighter. 2. The act of unloading into a lighter, or of conveying by a lighter.
• LIGHT-O'-LOVE
  1. An old tune of a dance, the name of which made it a proverbial expression of levity, especially in love matters. Nares. "Best sing it to the tune of light-o'-love." Shak. 2. Hence: A light or wanton woman. Beau. & Fl.
• BRANCHIOPODA
  An order of Entomostraca; -- so named from the feet of branchiopods having been supposed to perform the function of gills. It includes the fresh-water genera Branchipus, Apus, and Limnadia, and the genus Artemia found in salt lakes. It
• BRANCHINESS
  Fullness of branches.
• LIGHT-FOOT; LIGHT-FOOTED
  Having a light, springy step; nimble in running or dancing; active; as, light-foot Iris. Tennyson.
• PHYSICAL
  1. Of or pertaining to nature ; in accordance with the laws of nature; also, of or relating to natural or material things, or to the bodily structure, as opposed to things mental, moral, spiritual, or imaginary; material; natural; as, armies and
• TECTIBRANCHIA
  See TECTIBRANCHIATA
• NUDIBRANCHIATA
  A division of opisthobranchiate mollusks, having no shell except while very young. The gills are naked and situated upon the back or sides. See Ceratobranchia.
• ABRANCHIAL
  Abranchiate.
• SLIGHTNESS
  The quality or state of being slight; slenderness; feebleness; superficiality; also, formerly, negligence; indifference; disregard.
• PYGOBRANCHIA
  A division of opisthobranchiate mollusks having the branchiæ in a wreath or group around the anal opening, as in the genus Doris.
• DELIGHTING
  Giving delight; gladdening. -- De*light"ing*ly, adv. Jer. Taylor.
• PODOBRANCH
  One of branchiæ attached to the bases of the legs in Crustacea.
• ASPIDOBRANCHIA
  A group of Gastropoda, with limpetlike shells, including the abalone shells and keyhole limpets.
• DRUMMOND LIGHT
  A very intense light, produced by turning two streams of gas, one oxygen and the other hydrogen, or coal gas, in a state of ignition, upon a ball of lime; or a stream of oxygen gas through a flame of alcohol upon a ball or disk of lime; -- called
• LAMELLIBRANCHIATE
  Having lamellar gills; belonging to the Lamellibranchia. -- n.
• EPIBRANCHIAL
  Pertaining to the segment between the ceratobranchial and pharyngobranchial in a branchial arch. -- n.
• HYPOBRANCHIAL
  Pertaining to the segment between the basibranchial and the ceratobranchial in a branchial arch. -- n.
• PULMOBRANCHIATA; PULMOBRANCHIATE
  See -ATE (more info) & n.
• PERENNIBRANCHIATE
  Having branchæ, or gills, through life; -- said especially of certain Amphibia, like the menobranchus. Opposed to caducibranchiate.