FOCUS


Meaning of FOCUS in English

I. ˈfō-kəs noun

( plural fo·ci ˈfō-ˌsī also -ˌkī ; also fo·cus·es )

Etymology: New Latin, from Latin, hearth

Date: 1644

1.

a. : a point at which rays (as of light, heat, or sound) converge or from which they diverge or appear to diverge ; specifically : the point where the geometrical lines or their prolongations conforming to the rays diverging from or converging toward another point intersect and give rise to an image after reflection by a mirror or refraction by a lens or optical system

b. : a point of convergence of a beam of particles (as electrons)

2.

a. : focal length

b. : adjustment for distinct vision ; also : the area that may be seen distinctly or resolved into a clear image

c. : a state or condition permitting clear perception or understanding

tried to bring the issues into focus

d. : direction 6c

the team lost focus

3. : one of the fixed points that with the corresponding directrix defines a conic section

4. : a localized area of disease or the chief site of a generalized disease or infection

5.

a. : a center of activity, attraction, or attention

the focus of the meeting was drug abuse

b. : a point of concentration

6. : the place of origin of an earthquake or moonquake

7. : directed attention : emphasis

• fo·cus·less -ləs adjective

- in focus

- out of focus

II. verb

( fo·cused also fo·cussed ; fo·cus·ing also fo·cus·sing )

Date: 1775

transitive verb

1.

a. : to bring into focus

b. : to adjust the focus of (as the eye or a lens)

2. : to cause to be concentrated

focus ed their attention on the most urgent problems

3. : to bring (as light rays) to a focus : concentrate

intransitive verb

1. : to come to a focus : converge

2. : to adjust one's eye or a camera to a particular range

3. : to concentrate attention or effort

• fo·cus·able -kə-sə-bəl adjective

• fo·cus·er noun

Merriam-Webster's Collegiate English vocabulary.      Энциклопедический словарь английского языка Merriam Webster.