catoptric

adjective

ca·​top·​tric kə-ˈtäp-trik How to pronounce catoptric (audio)
: being or using a mirror to focus light

Word History

Etymology

Greek katoptrikos, from katoptron mirror, from katopsesthai to be going to observe, from kata- + opsesthai to be going to see — more at optic

First Known Use

circa 1766, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of catoptric was circa 1766

Dictionary Entries Near catoptric

Catonian

catoptric

catoptrite

See More Nearby Entries 

Cite this Entry

“Catoptric.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/catoptric. Accessed 1 Apr. 2023.

Copy Citation

Share

Medical Definition

catoptric

adjective
ca·​top·​tric kə-ˈtäp-trik How to pronounce catoptric (audio)
: being or using a mirror to focus light
catoptrically
-tri-k(ə-)lē How to pronounce catoptric (audio)
adverb
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of shenanigans

See Definitions and Examples »

Test Your Vocabulary

Challenging Standardized Test Words, Vol. 2

  • a pencil broken in half on top of a test answer sheet
  • The business’s new computer system proved not to be a panacea.
True or False

Test your knowledge - and maybe learn something along the way.

TAKE THE QUIZ
Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can with using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.

Can you make 12 words with 7 letters?

PLAY
Words at Play
Ask the Editors
Word Games