OPTICAL

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

IPA (US):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does optical mean? 

• OPTICAL (adjective)
  The adjective OPTICAL has 3 senses:

1. of or relating to or involving light or optics

2. relating to or using sight

3. of or relating to or resembling the eye

  Familiarity information: OPTICAL used as an adjective is uncommon.

 Dictionary entry details 

• OPTICAL (adjective)

Sense 1

Meaning:

Of or relating to or involving light or optics

Classified under:

Relational adjectives (pertainyms)

Context example:

optical supplies

Pertainym:

optics (the branch of physics that studies the physical properties of light)

Derivation:

optics (the branch of physics that studies the physical properties of light)

Sense 2

Meaning:

Relating to or using sight

Classified under:

Relational adjectives (pertainyms)

Synonyms:

ocular; optic; optical; visual

Context example:

visual navigation

Pertainym:

sight (the ability to see; the visual faculty)

Sense 3

Meaning:

Of or relating to or resembling the eye

Classified under:

Relational adjectives (pertainyms)

Synonyms:

ocular; ophthalmic; optic; optical

Context example:

ophthalmic defect

Pertainym:

eye (the organ of sight)

 Context examples 

An optical disk storage system for computers on which data can be read or from which data can be retrieved but not entered or modified.

(CD-ROM, NCI Thesaurus)

Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) combines the principles of ultrasound with the imaging performance of a microscope.

(Optical coherence tomography, NCI Thesaurus)

A non-essential, non-polar, non-optical, glucogenic amino acid.

(Glycine, NCI Thesaurus)

An ultra-sensitive optical device that is used as a sub-cellular detection tool.

(Nanoprobe, NCI Thesaurus)

The optical density of produced color has a direct relationship with Direct Bilirubin concentration in the solution.

(Direct Bilirubin Measurement, NCI Thesaurus)

A printed, optical, or electronic document designed to record all of the clinical study-required information stipulated in the protocol to be reported to the sponsor on each clinical trial subject.

(Case Report Form, NCI Thesaurus)

The effect of tidal forces from the planet may also explain an unusually high amount of lithium found in earlier optical studies of WASP-18.

(NASA’s Chandra X-ray Observatory Finds Planet That Makes Star Act Deceptively Old, NASA)

While not visible in optical images, the lobe can also be seen in radio waves.

(The Giant Galaxy Around the Giant Black Hole, NASA)

Issue associated with an optical defect in an image-forming system whereby the image is not the shape of an ideal image of the object.

(Optical Distortion Medical Device Problem, Food and Drug Administration)

A light, with glass or plastic fibers which have special optical properties usually attached to a dental handpiece that is intended to illuminate oral structures.

(Fiber Optic Transilluminator, NCI Thesaurus)