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Glite Dictionary
oculus sinister

oculus sinister

9.9
The left eye, especially in medical notes
  • noun
  • /ˈɑːkjələs ˈsɪnɪstər/
  • Specialized
translation icon : oculus sinister
  • The prescription for her glasses indicated a higher correction for her oculus sinister.

Examples

  • During the examination, he noticed increased pressure in the oculus sinister.

  • Doctors often use the abbreviation O.S. to refer to the oculus sinister in patient charts.

  • The oculus sinister is crucial for vision.

  • The doctor examined the oculus sinister for any abnormalities.

  • Doctors often use the abbreviation O.S. to refer to the oculus sinister in patient charts.

  • During the examination, he noticed increased pressure in the oculus sinister.

  • The doctor examined the oculus sinister for any abnormalities.

Synonyms

OS
vsoculus sinister
  • Specialized
9.6

The left eye used in doctor's notes and prescriptions

is used more generally in medical contexts rather than only in prescriptions

Surface Forms

oculus sinister singular
oculi sinistri plural

Morphology

oculus + sinister

The term is a straightforward composition of 'oculus' (eye) + 'sinister' (left), so the meaning 'left eye' is directly derivable from the constituents; it is a Latinized medical phrase but semantically transparent. Although specialized/Latinate, a learner who knows both constituent meanings will readily infer the MWE's meaning.

Etymology

Oculus sinister comes from two Latin words: oculus meaning 'eye' and sinister meaning 'left'. Doctors wrote this phrase (shortened to O.S.) on charts to mark the patient's left eye, so today it simply means 'the left eye'.