multifocaladj.n.
/ˌmʌltɪˈfəʊkl/, U.S. /ˌməltiˈfoʊk(ə)l/; see also multi- comb. form. A. adj.
1. Having or relating to several foci or a range of focal lengths.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > attention and judgement > attention > earnest attention, concentration > [adjective] > on many points
multifocal1892
the world > physical sensation > sight and vision > optical instruments > lens > [adjective] > types of lenses
convex?a1560
planoconvex1665
concavo-convex1677
convexo-concave1693
strong1732
aplanatic1799
periscopic1803
omphaloptic1819
polyzonal1823
shallow1837
first-order1846
periscopical1846
orthoscopic1853
rectilinear1874
overcorrected1875
sphero-cylindrical1881
wide-aperture1882
afocal1887
apochromatic1887
anastigmatic1890
telecentric1892
photovisual1899
aspherical1922
aspheric1923
multifocal1928
plano1944
demagnifying1959
the world > health and disease > healing > ophthalmology or optometry > aids to defective vision > [adjective] > types of spectacles > types of spectacle lens
astigmatic1881
toric1890
trifocal1921
multifocal1928
pebble-grained1943
omnifocal1962
1892 Science 22 Apr. 236/2 The new multifocal attachment [for the projecting lantern]..is the most valuable accessory that has even been offered to the exhibitor and lecturer... The principal purpose of this new accessory, as expressed by its name, multifocal, is to provide many points of image production in the range of the objective.
1920 T. P. Nunn Education 111 The multi-focal view, to which Thorndike has now transferred his allegiance, holds that our abilities fall into a small number of groups.
1928 S. Duke-Elder Pract. Refraction xxiii. 344 In the multifocal lenses, introduced by Gowland of Montreal, in 1922..the reading portion of the lens has a continuous variable curve, there being a gradual accretion of power from the periphery to the reading centre.
1971 Optometry Today (Amer. Optometric Assoc.) 12 Special optical devices such as multi-focal lenses, contact lenses and other vision aids are used.
1999 Jrnl. Compar. Physiol. 184 361 In [fish] eyes with mobile irises, multifocal lenses are correlated with pupil shapes that allow all zones of the lens..to participate in the imaging process.
2. Medicine. Of a disease or condition: arising from or involving more than one site.
ΚΠ
1961 Brit. Jrnl. Surg. 49 92/1 Low-grade, primary, multifocal osteosarcoma occurring in middle age appears to be a distinct entity.
1985 Brit. Med. Jrnl. 1 June 1645/1 Multifocal primary malignancies confined to one hepatic lobe may occasionally be resected, but are usually considered a contraindication to surgery.
1997 E. Hand Glimmering ii. ix. 180 The voices, of course, must be the first stages of HIV dementia—or cryptococcal meningitis, or toxoplasma encephalitis,..or progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy.
B. n.
In plural. Multifocal spectacles.
ΘΚΠ
the world > health and disease > healing > ophthalmology or optometry > aids to defective vision > [noun] > spectacles > other types of spectacles
half-moon glasses1607
half-moon spectacles1607
blinkers1732
temple-spectacles1762
reading glass1853
distance glasses1864
horn spectacles1893
bifocal1899
trifocal1899
horn-rims1927
harlequin spectacles1940
harlequin glasses1945
library frame1948
aviator1951
library glasses1959
library spectacles1962
multifocals1962
wire-rim1968
1962 L. S. Sasieni Princ. & Pract. Optical Dispensing v. 125 The accurate fitting of bifocals and multifocals will be considered later.
1990 Sun (Brisbane) 13 Mar. 46 (heading) Multifocals needed as eyes change.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, March 2003; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
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adj.n.1892