lens

¹lens

noun \ˈlenz\

Definition of LENS

1

a : a piece of transparent material (as glass) that has two opposite regular surfaces either both curved or one curved and the other plane and that is used either singly or combined in an optical instrument for forming an image by focusing rays of light b : a combination of two or more simple lenses c : a piece of glass or plastic used (as in safety goggles or sunglasses) to protect the eye

2

: a device for directing or focusing radiation other than light (as sound waves, radio microwaves, or electrons)

3

: something shaped like a biconvex optical lens <lens of sandstone>

4

: a highly transparent biconvex lens-shaped or nearly spherical body in the eye that focuses light rays (as upon the retina) — see eye illustration

5

: something that facilitates and influences perception, comprehension, or evaluation <viewing the current legal battle … through partisan lenses — New Republic>

6

: gravitational lens

— lensed \ˈlenzd\ adjective

— lens·less \ˈlenz-ləs\ adjective

Examples of LENS

1. Make sure the lens of the microscope is clean.

Origin of LENS

New Latin lent-, lens, from Latin, lentil; from its shape

First Known Use: 1673

Other Physics Terms

amplitude, centrifugal, centripetal, convection, gradient, hysteresis, kinetic, lase, quantum

Rhymes with LENS

cleanse, gens