optic

[op-tik]

adjective

1. of or relating to the eye or sight.

2. optical.

noun

1. the eye.

2. a lens of an optical instrument.

optic

¹

/ ˈɒptɪk /

adjective

1. of or relating to the eye or vision

2. a less common word for optical

noun

1. an informal word for eye 1

Optic

²

/ ˈɒptɪk /

noun

1. a device attached to an inverted bottle for dispensing measured quantities of liquid, such as whisky, gin, etc

optic

1. Relating to or involving the eye or vision.

Other Word Forms

• interoptic adjective
• nonoptic adjective
• postoptic adjective
• preoptic adjective
• suboptic adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of optic¹

1535–45; < Medieval Latin opticus < Greek optikós, equivalent to opt ( ós ) seen (verbid of ópsesthai to see) + -ikos -ic

Word History and Origins

Origin of optic¹

C16: from Medieval Latin opticus, from Greek optikos, from optos visible, seen; related to ōps eye

Example Sentences

The optics were all about demonstrating that Russia has powerful friends, such as China, India and North Korea.

From BBC

However, there is no way to consider any movie sequel to be completely divorced from previous chapters’ racial optics.

From Salon

And yet the political optics of a housing secretary admitting she had not paid enough tax on her home were not easy on the eye.

From BBC

What is shocking is how glaringly pretextual and retaliatory the optics are.

From Salon

The optics could not have been more different this time.

From BBC