Esophoric is a term used in linguistics to refer to speech sounds that are directed towards the speaker. The word is spelled with the letter "e" followed by "sophoric" and ends with the suffix "-ic". In IPA phonetic transcription, it is [ˌiːsəˈfɔːrɪk]. The first syllable is pronounced as "e-" with a long "e" sound, followed by "soph-" with an "o" sound. The stress is on the third syllable "for", pronounced with an "o" sound, followed by "ic".
The term "esophoric" is an adjective that pertains to the condition or phenomenon of the eyes converging or turning inwardly, allowing both eyes to focus on a near object or target. Derived from the word "esophoria," which refers to the tendency of the eyes to deviate inwardly, esophoric specifically describes an individual's ability to maintain binocular vision and depth perception when looking at objects positioned closer to themselves.
Esophoric vision is a normal occurrence, especially when an individual is engaged in activities requiring near vision, such as reading or writing. During these tasks, the eyes instinctively converge to allow precise focusing on the words or objects being viewed up close. In contrast to "exophoric," where the eyes diverge outwardly, esophoric refers to the inward or converging eye movement.
Esophoric vision is frequently examined in ophthalmological assessments and vision tests to determine the clarity and coordination of a person's binocular vision. Optometrists often conduct tests to assess the degree of esophoria, which helps in diagnosing and managing conditions such as strabismus or convergence insufficiency. In these cases, esophoric tendencies may be excessive or insufficient, leading to eye strain, double vision, or difficulty in maintaining focus.
Overall, the term "esophoric" describes the natural phenomenon of eye convergence when focusing on near objects or targets, highlighting the importance of the balance and coordination between the muscles controlling eye movement to ensure clear and comfortable vision.
Relating to or marked by esophoria.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
The word "esophoric" does not have a clear etymology as it is a technical term specific to linguistics, and its usage is limited within this field. It is composed of two parts - "eso-" and "-phoric" which carry their own individual meanings.
- "Eso-" is a prefix that comes from the Greek word "esō" meaning "within" or "inside". It is often used to denote something internal or inwardly directed.
- "-Phoric" is a suffix derived from the Greek word "phoros" meaning "bringing" or "carrying". It is commonly used in linguistics to describe phenomena related to the reference or meaning of linguistic expressions.
When combined, "esophoric" generally refers to grammatical or linguistic elements that refer to information found within the same sentence or utterance rather than external or contextual information.