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Glite Dictionary
catoptric

catoptric

9.9
About mirrors and how they reflect light to form images
  • adjective
  • /kəˈtɒprɪk/
  • Specialized
: catóptrico
  • The catoptric effect of the mirror creates a distorted image of the room.

Examples

  • In her physics class, she learned about catoptric principles and how they apply to telescopes.

  • "This crossover of stories, this undermining of the rule of editing and of the narrative limit" (Fleischer) results from catoptric procedures whose origins one could rediscover very exactly in the theories of Renaissance physicists.

    Academic text (2004)

  • The architect designed a catoptric feature for the building that enhanced natural light.

Synonyms

mirrorlike
vscatoptric
1 4.5

A smooth shiny surface that shows a clear picture of things

is about objects and the scientific study of light reflection rather than surface quality
catoptrical
vscatoptric
  • Specialized
9.9

About mirrors or the way light bounces from them

is the same meaning but presented as a variant form in writing

Surface Forms

catoptric positive

Morphology

catoptric = catoptr + ic

The combining form 'catoptr-' is not a productive standalone English word and learners cannot transparently derive 'relating to mirrors' from the form 'catoptr' plus '-ic'.

Etymology

Catoptric comes from an old Greek word katoptron, meaning 'mirror'. It is like optics, which is about light and sight, but catoptric means specifically about 'reflection' from mirrors.