[lens] also lense n [NL lent-, lens, fr. L, lentil; fr. its shape] (1693) 1 a: a piece of transparent material (as glass) that has two opposite regular surfaces either both curved or one curved and the other plane and that is used either singly or combined in an optical instrument for forming an image by focusing rays of light b: a combination of two or more simple lenses c: a piece of glass or plastic used (as in safety goggles or sunglasses) to protect the eye
2: a device for directing or focusing radiation other than light (as sound waves, radio microwaves, or electrons)
3: something shaped like a double-convex optical lens "~ of sandstone"
4: a highly transparent biconvex lens-shaped or nearly spherical body in the eye that focuses light rays (as upon the retina)--see eye illustration
5: something that facilitates and influences perception, comprehension, or evaluation "the author's own ~ seems blurred by bias --Seymour Topping" -- lensed adj -- lens.less adj
[2]lens vt (1942): to make a motion picture of: film