focus 
fo·cus (fō′kəs)
noun pl. fo′·cuses or fo′ci′-sī′
- the point where rays of light, heat, etc. or waves of sound come together, or from which they spread or seem to spread; specif., the point where rays of light reflected by a mirror or refracted by a lens meet (called real focus) or the point where they would meet if prolonged backward through the lens or mirror (called virtual focus)
- focal length
- an adjustment of the focal length to make a clear image to bring a camera into focus
- any center of activity, attention, etc.
- a part of the body where a disease process, as an infection, tumor, etc., is localized or most active
- the starting point of an earthquake
- Math.
- either of the two fixed points used in determining an ellipse
- any analogous point for a parabola or hyperbola
Etymology: ModL, adopted in math. senses by Johannes Kepler (1604) < L, fireplace, hearth < ? IE base *bhok-, to flame, burn > ? Arm bo, flame
transitive verb -·cused or -·cussed, -·cus·ing or -·cus·sing
- to bring into focus
- to adjust the focal length of (the eye, a lens, etc.) in order to produce a clear image
- to fix or settle on one thing; concentrate to focus one's attention on a question
intransitive verb
- to meet at a focus
- to adjust one's eye or a lens so as to make a clear image
- to direct one's thoughts or efforts; concentrate
in focus
clear; distinct; sharply defined
out of focus
indistinct; blurred
focus
n.
in focus
out of focus
focus
v.
To draw toward a center
converge, direct, fix on, zero in on; see center, concentrate 1, 2.To make an image clear
adjust, bring into focus, bring out, get detail; see sharpen 2.
Object
- attention: Abraham did not want to focus attention on the ram.
Preposition: on
- aspect: This response focuses on this particular aspect of our members ' business.
- issue: Our comments will focus on these main issues of concern.
- theme: The course content has its focus on popular gardening themes.
- area: The Treasury is focussing on three areas to help people on low incomes.
Subject
- cornea: Cone cells are concentrated in the center of our retina where the light is focused by the cornea and lens.
Converse of object
- become: These can then become the foci of the ensuing paragraphs.
- provide: The commander provides the focus to prioritize these IO assets.
Adjective modifier
- sharp: I confess that I should like to have these basic concepts in sharper focus!
- main: She said the main focus of our work should be Respect.
- particular: A really great weblog with a particular focus on London life.
- strong: With her strong customer focus, Alison led her already successful team at Wycombe to new heights.
- narrow: Cultural theories of translation go beyond a narrow focus on language and examine the interaction between translation and the wider historical and socio-cultural context.
- prime: Models and modeling process will be a prime focus.
Modifies a noun
- group: Design: Qualitative focus group study consisting of 11 focus groups with 67 participants.
Followed by an intransitive particle
- on: FOCUS ON INDIA Welcome to all our Indian collaborators who have joined recently.
Preposition: of
- attention: The K-theory of the modular group is also a current focus of attention.
Noun used with modifier
- auto: Other focusing options include manual focusing, auto focusing lock, focus bracketing and an auto focus assist beam for lowlight photography.
- customer: With her strong customer focus, Alison led her already successful team at Wycombe to new heights.
Preposition: by
- cornea: Cone cells are concentrated in the center of our retina where the light is focused by the cornea and lens.
Johnny, keep it out of focus. I want to win the foreign picture award.
Browse dictionary entries near focus
- ‹ Foch
- ‹ focalize
- ‹ focal point
- ‹ focal length
- ‹ focal infection
- ‹ focal
- ‹ focaccia
- ‹ fob
- ‹ foamy
- ‹ foamflower
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