How Do You Spell APLANATIC?

Pronunciation: [ɐplɐnˈatɪk] (IPA)

Aplanatic (æplə'nætɪk) is a technical term used in optics to describe a lens that can correct for spherical and chromatic aberration. The word is derived from the Greek word "planos," meaning "flat," and "a-" meaning "not" or "without." In IPA phonetic transcription, the first syllable is pronounced with the short "a" sound, while the second syllable features a schwa sound followed by the "n" consonant. The third syllable has the primary stress and features the "æ" vowel sound followed by the "t" consonant and the "ɪk" vowel sound.

APLANATIC Meaning and Definition

1. Aplanatic is an adjective that is typically used in the field of optics, specifically referring to lenses or systems that are designed to produce images without any significant spherical aberration. Spherical aberration is an optical distortion that occurs when light rays passing through a lens do not converge at a single focal point, causing blurring or smearing of the image. In an aplanatic lens, the curvature of the lens surfaces is calculated and adjusted to reduce or eliminate this aberration.

   An aplanatic lens is constructed with multiple lens elements, each with specific curvatures and refractive properties, to manipulate and control the path of light rays. By carefully shaping the lens surfaces, an aplanatic lens is able to bring light rays from different parts of the lens to focus on the same point, resulting in a clear and undistorted image. This makes aplanatic lenses particularly useful in precise optical applications, such as microscopes, cameras, telescopes, and other imaging systems.

   The term "aplanatic" is derived from the Greek words "a," meaning without, and "planos," meaning wandering or deviation. Thus, an aplanatic lens can be understood as a lens without deviation, as it corrects and reduces the inherent deviation caused by spherical aberration. The development and use of aplanatic lenses have significantly improved the quality and clarity of images in various optical instruments, allowing for more accurate and detailed observations in both scientific and everyday contexts.

2. Noting a lens free from chromatic or spherical aberration.

   A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.

3. Applied to a telescope which entirely corrects the aberration of the rays of light.

   Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.

Common Misspellings for APLANATIC

• zplanatic
• splanatic
• wplanatic
• qplanatic
• aolanatic
• allanatic
• a-lanatic
• a0lanatic
• apkanatic
• appanatic
• apoanatic
• aplznatic
• aplsnatic
• aplwnatic
• aplqnatic
• aplabatic
• aplamatic
• aplajatic
• aplahatic

Etymology of APLANATIC

The word "aplanatic" is derived from the Greek roots "a-" meaning "without" or "not", and "planos" meaning "wandering" or "straying". It is further combined with the suffix "-atic", which in this context indicates "pertaining to" or "related to". Together, "aplanatic" refers to something that is free from spherical aberration or distortion, particularly relating to lenses used in optics.

Similar spelling words for APLANATIC

• appellant,
• appliance,
• Apolonia,
• aphyllanthes,
• apolune,
• appling,
• Applin,
• appleman,
• apollinaire.