English Explanatory Dictionary

focal

English dictionary entry

Meanings

adj
  1. Belonging to, concerning, or located at a focus (definite location).
  2. Belonging to, concerning, or located at a focus of attention.
  3. Limited to a small area.
noun
  1. One of two lines perpendicular to the axis of a cone such that the cosine of the angle between the line and the axis is equal to the ratio of the cosines o the semiangles of the cone.
  2. An object that is used to focus concentration when performing magic.
  3. The individual who is the focus of a study or review, when the study or review is based on that individual's interactions with others.
  4. A representative of a group or class of people within an organizational system.
  5. A sign or similar type of marketing material designed to draw attention to special deals.
  6. The central or most important element of something; a focal element.
  7. A major point of interest; an attraction.
  8. An exemplar of a concept.

Pronunciation

/ˈfəʊ.kl̩/ LL-Q1860 (eng)-Vealhurl-focal.wav /ˈfoʊ.kl̩/

Word forms

focal focals

Etymology

Learned borrowing from New Latin focālis. By surface analysis, focus + -al.

Antonyms

nonfocal widespread locoregional systemic

Derived words

afocal autofocal bifocal confocal dynafocal epifocal exofocal extrafocal focal adhesion focal depth focalism focality focalization focalize focal length focally focal plane focal point hyperfocal interfocal intrafocal matrifocal microfocal monofocal multifocal oligofocal patrifocal perifocal polyfocal quadrifocal trifocal ufocal unifocal varifocal

Translations

Catalan: focal Finnish: polttopiste- French: focal German: fokal Irish: lárnach Irish: príomh- Irish: bun- Italian: focale Russian: фокусный Spanish: focal
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