optics

[op-tiks]

noun

1. (used with a singular verb),  the branch of physical science that deals with the properties and phenomena of both visible and invisible light and with vision.

2. (used with a plural verb),  the way a situation, action, event, etc., is perceived by the public or by a particular group of people.

   The optics on this issue are pretty good for the Democrats.

   Administrators worry about the bad optics of hiring new staff during a budget crisis.

optics

/ ˈɒptɪks /

noun

1. (functioning as singular) the branch of science concerned with vision and the generation, nature, propagation, and behaviour of electromagnetic light

optics

1. The scientific study of light and vision. The study of optics led to the development of more general theories of electromagnetic radiation and theories of color.

optics

1. The branch of physics dealing with light. (See electromagnetic waves, laser, lens, reflection, and refraction.)

Word History and Origins

Origin of optics¹

First recorded in 1570–80; from Medieval Latin optica, from Greek optiká “theory of the laws of light,” noun use of neuter plural of adjective optikós; optic, -ics

Example Sentences

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

In the absence of any real developments, attention in Ukraine turned to the presentational aspects of the summit – the "optics", in political speak.

From BBC

Related Words

• eyesight 
• perception 
• view