focus

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('kəs) pronunciation
n., pl., -cus·es, or -ci (-sī', -kī').
    1. A point at which rays of light or other radiation converge or from which they appear to diverge, as after refraction or reflection in an optical system: the focus of a lens. Also called focal point.
    2. See focal length.
    1. The distinctness or clarity of an image rendered by an optical system.
    2. The state of maximum distinctness or clarity of such an image: in focus; out of focus.
    3. An apparatus used to adjust the focal length of an optical system in order to make an image distinct or clear: a camera with automatic focus.
  1. A center of interest or activity. See synonyms at center.
  2. Close or narrow attention; concentration: "He was forever taken aback by [New York's] pervasive atmosphere of purposefulness-the tight focus of its drivers, the brisk intensity of its pedestrians" (Anne Tyler).
  3. A condition in which something can be clearly apprehended or perceived: couldn't get the problem into focus.
  4. Pathology. The region of a localized bodily infection or disease.
  5. Geology. The point of origin of an earthquake.
  6. Mathematics. A fixed point whose relationship with a directrix determines a conic section.

v., -cused, or -cussed, -cus·ing, or -cus·sing, -cus·es, or -cus·ses.

v.tr.
  1. To cause (light rays, for example) to converge on or toward a central point; concentrate.
    1. To render (an object or image) in clear outline or sharp detail by adjustment of one's vision or an optical device; bring into focus.
    2. To adjust (a lens, for example) to produce a clear image.
  2. To direct toward a particular point or purpose: focused all their attention on finding a solution to the problem.
v.intr.
  1. To converge on or toward a central point of focus; be focused.
  2. To adjust one's vision or an optical device so as to render a clear, distinct image.
  3. To concentrate attention or energy: a campaign that focused on economic issues.

[Latin, hearth.]

focuser fo'cus·er n.


The noun has plural forms focuses in general use and foci (foh-siy) in technical use, and the verb has inflected forms focuses, focused, focusing, although some printing styles prefer forms with -ss-.

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1. Point where light rays converge to produce an image that is clear and sharp in definition.

2. See a clear and distinct image.

3. Subject or issue that is the center of attention, as in a focus group.

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noun

  1. A place of concentrated activity, influence, or importance: center, headquarters, heart, hub, seat. See edge/center.
  2. A point of origin from which ideas or influences, for example, originate: bottom, center, core, heart, hub, quick, root1. See start/end.

verb

  1. To direct toward a common center: center, channel, concentrate, converge, focalize. See edge/center.
  2. To devote (oneself or one's efforts): address, apply, bend, buckle down, concentrate, dedicate, devote, direct, give, turn. See collect/distribute, work/play.


v

Definition: aim attention at
Antonyms: ignore, neglect

The point of origin of an earthquake. See epicentre.

The degree to which an individual can integrate various factors and use them simultaneously to construct a more complete and balanced picture of his or her internal or external world. See attentional style.

focus, in optics, the point at which rays converge after reflection by a concave mirror or refraction by a convex lens, also known as a real focus. The point from which rays appear to diverge after reflection by a convex mirror or refraction by a concave lens is known as a virtual focus. See image.


sign description: The hands begin at the side of the head and move forward and down as they narrow inward.




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Quotes:

"My main focus is on my game." - Tiger Woods

"A well-aimed spear is worth three." - Tad Williams

"No life ever grows great until it is focused, dedicated and disciplined." - Source Unknown

"The successful man is the average man, focused." - Source Unknown

"The first rule of focus is Wherever you are be there." - Source Unknown

"Some people see more in a walk around the block than others see in a trip around the world." - Source Unknown

See more famous quotes about Focus

The act of converging at a point.

  • isoelectric f. — electrophoresis in which the protein mixture is subjected to an electric field in a gel medium in which a pH gradient has been established; each protein then migrates until it reaches the site at which the pH is equal to its isoelectric point.
Random House Word Menu:

categories related to 'focus'

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Random House Word Menu by Stephen Glazier
For a list of words related to focus, see:

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Focal point may refer to:

  • Focus (optics), the point at which initially collimated rays of light meet after passing through a convex lens, or reflecting from a concave mirror
  • In Fine art, a Focal Point focuses specifically on a point of interest which makes a canvas unique. (e.g. Girl with a Pearl Earring by Johannes Vermeer)
  • In mathematics:
  • In an antenna (electronics):
    • The driven element, directly connected to the transmission line or source
    • The passive radiator, a conductive element which is not electrically connected to anything else
  • In game theory, a Focal point is an equilibrium more likely to be chosen by the players because it seems special, natural or relevant to them
  • In computer programs, Telelogic Focal Point is a configurable Web-based decision support platform for requirements management, product management and project portfolio management.
  • Focal Point (album), a 1976 studio album by McCoy Tyner
  • Focal Point, an imprint of National Geographic
  • In business, the person or organization responsible for the coordination of activities and tasks among several groups or networks
  • Among science fiction fanzines, a fanzine which in its era was central to the fannish culture of the day
  • In IT service management, the person or enity responsible for coordinating service delivery and acting as an escalation point for service delivery failures

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Dansk (Danish)
n. - fokus
v. tr. - bringe i fokus, indstille, samle, sætte fokus på
v. intr. - fokusere

idioms:

  • in focus    i fokus
  • out of focus    ude af fokus

Nederlands (Dutch)
brandpunt, nadruk, focus, scherptestelling, brandpuntsafstand, zicht, duidelijkheid, centrum, epicentrum, scherp stellen, focussen, concentreren, (doen) convergeren

Français (French)
n. - foyer, centre focal, mise au point, centre/foyer (d'intérêt), accent, (Opt) zoom, (Géom) distance focale, (Phys) axe/plan focal, (Pathol) foyer d'une infection
v. tr. - concentrer, fixer (les yeux, le regard), (Phot) mettre (qch) au point, régler (un microscope), concentrer (l'attention) sur
v. intr. - concentrer, converger sur, (Phot) faire la mise au point sur, se fixer ou se concentrer sur, se concentrer sur (qn, une étude)

idioms:

  • in focus    focalisé, au point, réglé
  • out of focus    pas au point, non réglé, flou (une image)

Deutsch (German)
n. - Brennpunkt, Fokus, Zentrum, Herd
v. - einstellen, konzentrieren, bündeln

idioms:

  • in focus    scharf
  • out of focus    unscharf

Ελληνική (Greek)
n. - σημείο σύγκλισης (ακτινών), εστία, σημείο εστίασης, κέντρο, (μτφ.) επίκεντρο
v. - (οπτ.) εστιάζω/-ομαι, συγκεντρώνω, ρυθμίζω, κεντράρω

idioms:

  • in focus    ρυθμισμένος, ευκρινής, εστιασμένος
  • out of focus    (για όργανο) απορυθμισμένος, θαμπός, (μτφ.) συγκεχυμένος

Italiano (Italian)
mettere a fuoco, focalizzare, fuoco

idioms:

  • in focus    in fuoco
  • out of focus    sfocato

Português (Portuguese)
n. - foco (m)
v. - focar

idioms:

  • in focus    em foco
  • out of focus    fora de foco

Русский (Russian)
фокус, сосредоточивать

idioms:

  • in focus    в фокусе
  • out of focus    не в фокусе

Español (Spanish)
n. - foco, centro
v. tr. - enfocar
v. intr. - quedar enfocado

idioms:

  • in focus    enfocado
  • out of focus    fuera de foco, desenfocado

Svenska (Swedish)
n. - fokus, medelpunkt (bildl.)
v. - fokusera, ställa in

中文(简体)(Chinese (Simplified))
焦点, 焦距, 使聚焦, 集中, 调焦, 聚焦, 注视

idioms:

  • in focus    焦点对准, 清晰
  • out of focus    焦点没对准, 模糊

中文(繁體)(Chinese (Traditional))
n. - 焦點, 焦距
v. tr. - 使聚焦, 集中, 調焦
v. intr. - 聚焦, 注視

idioms:

  • in focus    焦點對準, 清晰
  • out of focus    失焦, 模糊

한국어 (Korean)
n. - (물리학에서의) 초점, 초점거리, 중심, 대상
v. tr. - 초점에 모으다, ~을 집중시키다
v. intr. - 초점에 모이다, 집중하다

idioms:

  • in focus    또렷하게

日本語 (Japanese)
n. - 焦点, 焦点距離, 中心
v. - 焦点を合わせる, 集める, 集中する, 注意を集中させる

idioms:

  • in focus    焦点が合って
  • out of focus    焦点がそれて

العربيه (Arabic)
‏(الاسم) بؤرة , مركز نشاط (فعل) يركز‏

עברית (Hebrew)
n. - ‮מוקד‬
v. tr. - ‮מיקד, מרכז‬
v. intr. - ‮התמקד, התרכז‬


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