An Etymological Dictionary of Astronomy and Astrophysics

A small optical instrument with two tubes that is used to magnify the view of distant or astronomical objects. → prism binoculars.

Etymology (EN): From Fr. binoculaire, from binocle, from L. bini “double” (L. bis, bi- “twice,” Av. biš “twice”) + ocularis “of the eye,” from oculus “eye” (compare with Av. axš-, aš- “eye,” Skt. akshi- “eye,” Gk. ops “eye,” opsis “sight, appearance,” from PIE okw- “to see;” also O.E. ege, eage, from P.Gmc. *augon, Goth. augo, Lith. akis, Armenian aku).

Etymology (PE): Docašmi “binocular,” from do, → two

• cašm, → eye, + -i adj. suffix; durbin, → telescope.