Optic Comes From the Greek for Seen
Optic means relating to the eye or to light. The Greek root behind it also gives autopsy and synopsis.
Optic means relating to the eye or to vision. Greek *optikos*, of sight, sits behind a scattered family: *autopsy* means seeing for oneself, *synopsis* a seeing together, *panoptic* seeing everything, and *optician* one who deals with sight. The connection is invisible in English until the Greek is pointed out. In British pubs, an *optic* is also the measuring device fixed to an upturned spirit bottle.
- Of the eye. *The optic nerve.*
- Of light. *Fibre optic.*
- A spirit measure (British). *A pub optic.*
- Optics — the study of light, or public perception. *The optics of it.*
- Autopsy — from the same root. *An autopsy.*
Word forms
| Form | Word | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Adjective | optic | The optic nerve. |
| Adjective | optical | An optical illusion. |
| Noun | optics | The optics. |
| Agent | optician | An optician. |
| Greek | optikos | Of sight. |
- The optic nerve carries signals to the brain.Anatomy.
- The optics of the decision were poor.Modern political use.
- Autopsy means seeing for oneself.Etymology.
The optikos family
- Optician — one who tests and corrects sight
- Autopsy — a seeing for oneself
- Synopsis — a seeing together, an overview
- Panoptic — taking in everything at one view
- Optics — now also means how something appears publicly
Medieval Latin *opticus*, from Greek *optikos*, of sight, from *optos*, seen.
What does optics mean in politics?
How a decision appears to the public, regardless of its merits. The usage spread from the 1970s.
Is autopsy related to optic?
Yes. It means a seeing for oneself, from the same Greek root for sight.