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Glite Dictionary
paraxial

paraxial

9.9
Near the middle line of an object, especially in a lens or light beam
  • adjective
  • /ˌpærəˈzaɪəl/
  • Specialized
translation icon : paraxial
  • The paraxial region of the beam is where most of the light converges effectively.

Examples

  • And if I make the set of assumptions, the entire set is called the paraxial approximation.

  • In optics, the paraxial rays are those that travel close to the principal axis of a lens.

  • The - is this part of the sphere which is pretty far from from the paraxial approximation, clearly, right?

  • The problem of phase determination is simplified if we are able to make the "paraxial" assumption:

    Academic text (2001)

  • For accurate calculations, we often use the paraxial approximation in wave optics.

Synonyms

paramedian
vsparaxial
  • Specialized
8.7

Near the body's middle line, slightly to one side

is near a main axis of objects in scientific contexts, not only body midlines

How Close

axial
  • Specialized
5 7.6
paraxial
  • Specialized
9.9
lateral
60 5.0
off-centered
  • US
5.5

Surface Forms

paraxial positive

Morphology

paraxial = axial (semi-transparent) = para + axis + al

The word is built transparently from 'axial' with the scientific prefix 'para-', but the term is specialized and may not be fully accessible to average learners.

Etymology

Paraxial comes from the parts para- meaning 'beside', the same para- you see in parallel, and axial from axis meaning 'main line'. So paraxial means 'near' or 'beside the main axis', which is why scientists use it for rays or beams that are close to the central line.