Phacometer
/ˌfeɪ.kəˈmɪtər/noun
An ophthalmic instrument used to measure the curvature or optical properties of the crystalline lens of the eye.
Did you know?Ancient Greek phakos meant both “lentil” and “lens,” because the curved shape of a lentil resembled the transparent structure in the eye.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*bhel-
“To swell or bulge; a proposed ancestral root connected with rounded forms.”
Ancient Greek
Greek
φακός (phakos)
“A lentil; later, a lens because of its rounded, lens-like shape.”
Ancient Greek
Greek
μέτρον (metron)
“A measure, measurement, or standard.”
19th Century
Scientific English
phacometer
“A compound term formed from Greek phakos, “lens,” and metron, “measure,” for an ophthalmic measuring instrument.”
Modern English
English
phacometer
“An instrument used in eye science to measure the curvature or optical characteristics of the crystalline lens.”