Optics
/ˈɒp.tɪks/noun
The branch of physics that studies light and vision, or devices that use lenses and mirrors.
Did you know?Its deepest root is tied to Greek *ops* (“eye”), the same ancient source behind words for vision, so this whole field began as the science of the eye before it became the science of light.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*okw-
“to see, look”
Ancient Greek
Greek
ὄψις (ópsis) / ὀπτικός (optikós)
“sight; of or for seeing”
Late Latin
Latin
optica
“the study of sight and visual phenomena”
Middle French
French
optique
“optics; the science of vision”
16th Century
English
opticks / optics
“the science of sight and light”
Modern English
English
optics
“the branch of physics dealing with light and vision”