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catoptrical

catoptrical

9.9
About mirrors or the way light bounces from them
  • adjective
  • /kəˈtɒp.trɪ.kəl/
  • Specialized
: catóptrico
  • Certain optical instruments rely on catoptrical principles to reflect and focus light.

Examples

  • The design featured a catoptrical arrangement to create the illusion of infinite space.

  • His research focused on the catoptrical properties of ancient Roman mirrors.

  • The catoptrical properties of the lens were fascinating.

  • He studied catoptrical phenomena in his physics class.

  • Certain optical instruments rely on catoptrical principles to reflect and focus light.

  • His research focused on the catoptrical properties of ancient Roman mirrors.

  • The design featured a catoptrical arrangement to create the illusion of infinite space.

Synonyms

catoptric
vscatoptrical
  • Specialized
9.9

About mirrors and how they reflect light to form images

has identical meaning but is a different adjective form

Surface Forms

catoptrical positive

Morphology

catoptrical = catoptric (opaque) = catoptric + al

The lexical element 'catoptric' is a rare learned form unfamiliar to average learners, so adding the productive suffix '-al' does not make the meaning predictable.

Etymology

Catoptrical comes from an old Greek word katoptron meaning 'mirror', so think of mirrors and their images. A helpful image is a room of mirrors: something described as catoptrical is about mirrors or the way light is reflected, which is why the word is used for mirror-based optical science.