lenticular

adjective

len·​tic·​u·​lar len-ˈti-kyə-lər How to pronounce lenticular (audio)
1
: having the shape of a double-convex lens
2
: of or relating to a lens
3
: provided with or utilizing lenticules
a lenticular screen

Did you know?

"Lentil-shaped"—that's the meaning of Latin lenticularis, the parent of English's lenticular. It's an appropriate predecessor because a double-convex lens is one that is curved on both sides, giving it a shape similar to that of a lentil. English speakers borrowed the Latin term in the 15th century. Lenticularis, in turn, derives from lenticula, which is the source of the English word lentil and a diminutive of the Latin form lent-, lens, meaning "lentil." You probably won't be too surprised to learn that lent-, lens also gave English the word lens.

Example Sentences

Recent Examples on the Web Like our page to get updates throughout the day on our latest debunks Our rating: False The cloud in the image is a lenticular cloud, which is formed when air flows over mountains, experts said. Eleanor Mccrary, USA TODAY, 24 Feb. 2023 One of the least common cloud types, lenticular clouds form when mountains force air currents to travel in wave-like patterns. Discover Magazine, 29 June 2010 The vinyl editions of the album did not include randomized items, but were packaged with a lenticular postcard, poster and slipmat. Keith Caulfield, Billboard, 22 Mar. 2023 The company was founded in 1970, but its wares — particularly a minimalist two-sided settee by Piero Lissoni and a set of small storage units by Patricia Urquiola that use lenticular glass to distort the appearance of the objects inside — felt as modern as ever. New York Times, 17 June 2022 This lenticular cloud hovers above the sea ice near Antarctica's Mt. Discovery. Tom Yulsman, Discover Magazine, 12 Dec. 2013 The exhibition featured more than 30 years worth of their work, including a 27-feet lenticular image, that changes depending on where the viewer is standing and creates a hallucinatory effect. Seth Combs, San Diego Union-Tribune, 12 Mar. 2023 The unusual cloud, which was spotted in Bursa, Turkey, on Jan. 19, is a lenticular cloud, said Anna Jaruga, an atmospheric scientist with the California Institute of Technology. Eleanor Mccrary, USA TODAY, 24 Feb. 2023 On the left, the disc-like lenticular galaxy UGC 8603 is more defined. Julia Musto, Fox News, 16 Feb. 2023 See More

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'lenticular.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Latin lenticularis lentil-shaped, from lenticula lentil

First Known Use

1658, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of lenticular was in 1658

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Dictionary Entries Near lenticular

Cite this Entry

“Lenticular.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/lenticular. Accessed 30 May. 2023.

Medical Definition

lenticular

adjective
len·​tic·​u·​lar len-ˈtik-yə-lər How to pronounce lenticular (audio)
1
: having the shape of a double-convex lens
2
: of or relating to a lens especially of the eye
3
: relating to or being the lentiform nucleus of the brain

More from Merriam-Webster on lenticular

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