adj. & n.
--adj. of or relating to the eye or vision (optic nerve).
--n.
1. a lens etc. in an optical instrument.
2 archaic or joc. the eye.
3 (Optic) Brit. propr. a device fastened to the neck of a bottle for measuring out spirits etc.
Phrases and idioms:
optic angle the angle formed by notional lines from the extremities of an object to the eye, or by lines from the eyes to a given point. optic axis
1. a line passing through the centre of curvature of a lens or spherical mirror and parallel to the axis of symmetry.
2 the direction in a doubly refracting crystal for which no double refraction occurs. optic lobe the dorsal lobe in the brain from which the optic nerve arises.
Etymology: F optique or med.L opticus f. Gk optikos f. optos seen