See Also: lens(2)(dictionary)
lens(1)(dictionary)
plus lens(medicine)
Lens(medicine)
lens, eye(medicine)
lens(encyclopedia)
Eye lens(medicine)
lens(dictionary)
Lens(health)
lens vesicle(medicine)

lens(1) (iou)



lens noun. L17.
[Latin = lentil: so called on account of its shape.]
A piece of glass or other transparent substance with one or two surfaces curved or otherwise shaped to cause regular convergence or divergence of light passing through it; such a piece, or combination of pieces, as forming part of a camera etc. L17.
contact lens: see CONTACT noun 4. simple lens: see SIMPLE adjective 9. supplementary lens: see SUPPLEMENTARY adjective. zoom lens: see ZOOM noun.
b. spec. A piece of glass or plastic enclosed in a frame for wearing in front of the eyes. Also, a contact lens. L19.
a. Anatomy. The transparent elastic biconvex structure behind the iris of the eye by which light is focused on to the retina. Also crystalline lens. E18.
b. Zoology. Any of the facets of a compound eye. M19.
A biconvex body of any material, as rock, ice, water, etc. L19.
A structure or device analogous to a glass lens for focusing or otherwise modifying the direction of sound, electrons, radiation, etc. E20.
acoustic lens, gravitational lens, etc.
Comb.: lens cap a protective cap that fits over the end of a lens tube; lens coating a thin transparent coating applied to a lens to reduce reflection of light at its surface; lens hood a tube with outwardly sloping sides fitted to a camera lens to shield it from unwanted light; lensman = cameraman s.v. CAMERA; lens paper, lens tissue a kind of soft thin absorbent paper suitable for wiping lenses; lens turret a rotatable mounting fitted to the front of a camera and carrying several lenses; lens-work = camera-work s.v. CAMERA.
lensless adjective L19.
lenslet noun a small lens, esp. one of many in a compound eye or lenticular film M20.