optic

1 of 2

adjective

op·​tic ˈäp-tik How to pronounce optic (audio)
: of or relating to vision or the eye

optic

2 of 2

noun

1
: eye
2
a
: any of the elements (such as lenses, mirrors, or light guides) of an optical instrument or system
usually used in plural
b
: an optical instrument

Examples of optic in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Adjective
But that’s actually something of an optic illusion, says Alexes Hazen, M.D., a reconstructive and cosmetic plastic surgeon at NYU Langone Health. Garrett Munce, Men's Health, 24 July 2023 Vortex adds a ton of value to this setup by including the rangefinder pouch and a bonus neck strap for your optic standard. The Editors, Field & Stream, 1 Nov. 2023 His eyebrows look groomed and his teeth are optic white and very straight, but his face doesn’t register as a rich guy’s. Lauren Larson, Men's Health, 7 Sep. 2023 Researchers in Japan and Australia have developed a new multicore optic fiber able to transmit a record-breaking 1.7 petabits per second, while maintaining compatibility with existing fiber infrastructure. IEEE Spectrum, 26 June 2023 The designer loaded on the layers, starting with a purple chair and leopard print sofa, followed by an optic print wallpaper, damask drapes, and a traditional carpet. Marni Elyse Katz, BostonGlobe.com, 27 July 2023 Snag it in both optic white and true black to maximize your styling options. Marissa Miller, Travel + Leisure, 14 June 2023 Mice without a functioning gene for C1q production showed inadequate pruning in this optic area. Kenneth Miller, Discover Magazine, 6 Aug. 2017 Gianni Versace created an optic white lace pair with combat boots, and Anna Sui offered a sheer cream iteration. Liana Satenstein, Vogue, 7 Oct. 2022
Noun
The rationale, according to Hiroshi Tamura, Nissan's chief product specialist for the Z and GT-R, is that a manual Z Nismo would have been out-accelerated by a base Z with an automatic, and Nissan brass was concerned about the optics. Bradley Iger, Ars Technica, 9 Nov. 2023 Recognizing the optics, pharmaceutical companies have been working to increase access to insulin through donation programs and other special projects with NGOs and philanthropies. David Panzirer, STAT, 24 Oct. 2023 Just like Drake, he’s accumulated a feverish fanbase who will buy anything of his and provide him the optic of success regardless of critical malaise. Andre Gee, Rolling Stone, 23 Oct. 2023 But the strike overshadows everything, and many actors have been reluctant to attend even those events they are allowed to, concerned about the optics of solidarity. Ashley Fetters Maloy, Washington Post, 30 Sep. 2023 Netanyahu sat there, mute and impassive, uncharacteristically careless about the optics. Ruth Margalit, New York Times, 27 Sep. 2023 But in the meantime, there is no denying that the optics here are pretty bad! Condé Nast, SELF, 6 Nov. 2023 At the very least, the potential optics of this situation are clearly a concern for some New Hampshire Democrats, who've begun organizing a write-in effort for Biden. Geoffrey Skelley, ABC News, 31 Oct. 2023 Yass’s donation adds to Youngkin’s record-smashing haul but creates awkward optics for the governor, who had already flipped from bullish China investor to vocal China critic before Yass’s cash came his way. Laura Vozzella, Washington Post, 5 Oct. 2023 See More

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'optic.' 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

Adjective

Middle English, from Medieval Latin opticus, from Greek optikos, from opsesthai to be going to see; akin to Greek opsis appearance, ōps eye — more at eye

First Known Use

Adjective

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Noun

1601, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of optic was in the 15th century

Dictionary Entries Near optic

Cite this Entry

“Optic.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/optic. Accessed 9 Dec. 2023.

Kids Definition

optic

adjective
op·​tic
ˈäp-tik
: of or relating to vision or the eye
Etymology

Adjective

Middle English optic "relating to the eye," from Latin opticus (same meaning), from Greek optikos (same meaning), from opsesthai "to be going to see" — related to autopsy

Medical Definition

optic

1 of 2 adjective
op·​tic ˈäp-tik How to pronounce optic (audio)
1
a
: of or relating to vision
optic phenomena
b
: dependent chiefly on vision for orientation
humans are basically optic animals
2
a
: of or relating to the eye : ocular
b
: affecting the eye or an optic structure

optic

2 of 2 noun
1
: any of the elements (as lenses, mirrors, or light guides) of an optical instrument or system
usually used in plural
2
: an optical instrument

More from Merriam-Webster on optic

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