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Glite Dictionary
principal axis

principal axis

7.7
An invisible straight line through a lens or mirror center that light follows without bending
  • noun
  • /ˈprɪnsəpəl ˈæksɪs/
  • Specialized
translation icon : eje principal
  • In a diagram, the principal axis is represented as a straight line passing through the center of curvature.
  • principal axis factoring
  • principal axis method

Examples

  • A common factor exploratory factor analysis (EFA) was completed using a principal axis extraction method.

    Academic text (2004)

  • The items from all three indices were then submitted to a principal axis factor analysis with varimax rotation to determine underlying dimensions of mediation.

    Academic text (2007)

  • Where are the principal axes of this object using those rules?

  • And if the light propagates along either principal axis, the the polarization of the light is unaffected.

  • We submitted the 90 items of the SCMES to a principal axis factor analysis with varimax rotation.

    Academic text (2008)

  • Items were analyzed to assess their factorial validity through the principal axis method and oblimin solution.

    Academic text (2004)

  • When light travels along the principal axis of a lens, it does not change direction.

  • The rays of light that are parallel to the principal axis converge at the focal point after reflection.

Synonyms

axis
vsprincipal axis
44 5.1

A straight line that an object turns around, like the Earth turning

is a specific optical line where light travels without being refracted or reflected
optic axis
vsprincipal axis
  • Specialized
8.4

A line in a crystal, lens, or eye that lets light pass without splitting

is the line through a lens or mirror's center of curvature more narrowly defined

Surface Forms

principal axis singular
principal axes plural

Morphology

principal + axis

The compound literally combines 'principal' (main/most important) and 'axis' (a straight line), so a B1 learner who knows both words will readily infer it means the 'main axis' or primary line. However, the precise optical sense (through the centre of curvature where light is not refracted or reflected) is technical and not fully predictable from the parts alone, so the transparency is partial.

Etymology

The term principal axis comes from imagining a straight road through the center of a lens or mirror. Principal means 'main' and axis means a straight line, so light that travels on that road goes straight to the focus without bending. That's why 'principal axis' refers to the main line that shows how light passes through a lens or mirror.