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lens Definition

lens (lenz)

noun

    1. a piece of glass, or other transparent substance, with two curved surfaces, or one plane and one curved, regularly bringing together or spreading rays of light passing through it: a lens or combination of lenses is used in optical instruments, eyeglasses, etc. to form an image
    2. a combination of two or more such pieces
  2. any of various devices used to focus microwaves, electrons, or sound waves
  3. Anat. a transparent, biconvex body situated between the iris and the vitreous humor of the eye: it focuses upon the retina light rays entering the pupil

Etymology: L, lentil: from the resemblance to the shape of a lentil

transitive verb

  1. to photograph
  2. to make a film of

lens Synonyms

lens

n.

optical instrument, microscope, camera, eyeglass, spectacles, eyepiece.

Types of lenses include: spherical, planoconcave, double concave, biconcave, plano-convex, double convex, biconvex, diverging concavo-convex, converging concavo-convex, diverging, converging, diverging meniscus, converging meniscus, achromatic, anastigmatic, photographic, simple.

lens Usage Examples

Converse of object

  • zoom: I found the extra capacity of the zoom lens over more standard cameras came in really handy.
  • tint: Superb fully coated violet tinted lenses give absolute clarity right to the edge of the sight picture.
  • magnify: Virtual images are often used, for example, in magnifying lenses, where the image must be viable from different angles.

Adjective modifier

  • optical: The optical lens of the video camera focuses the image on the chip mounted behind the lens.
  • 3x: Features The 3x optical zoom lens has a focal length equivalent to 38 - 114mm in 35mm format.
  • interchangeable: Unlike interchangeable lenses, this one's fixed to the camera for ever.
  • intraocular: The intraocular lens will be unfolded once it is in your eye.
  • convex: A convex lens has a focal length of 150 mm.
  • aspherical: The lens part of the DMC-FX01 comprises of seven elements in six groups, incorporating four aspherical lenses to generate high optical performance.

Modifies a noun

  • wearer: Dry eye is the most common complaint among contact lens wearers.
  • hood: A metal lens hood is incorporated into the design.
  • aperture: Aperture control The lens aperture determines the amount of light that can enter the camera for a set shutter speed.
  • flare: Perhaps it is nothing more than a lens flare, but the general photographic context of the image would suggest not.
  • implantation: Extracapsular cataract extraction with posterior chamber intraocular lens implantation was the routine procedure.

Noun used with modifier

  • zoom: Now, the world of digital SLR photography can be enjoyed with just a single zoom lens!
  • telephoto: On safari, use 200 or 400 ASA with a zoom or telephoto lens.
  • wide-angle: The gentleman at the bus stop probably didn't realize my wide-angle lens would capture him.
  • macro: Macro lenses usually attach to your housing via a screw thread or an adapter.
  • magnifying: The images were taken using a small magnifying lens in front of the camera lens held in place with putty.
  • fisheye: How It's Done All the original images were taken with a Zuiko 8 mm circular fisheye lens giving a full 180° circular image.