An Etymological Dictionary of Astronomy and Astrophysics

The branch of physics that deals with the properties and phenomena of electromagnetic radiation in the wavelength range extending from the ultraviolet (at about 40 nm) to the far-infrared (at 1 mm) and with vision.

Etymology (EN): Optics, from optic, from M.Fr. optique, from M.L. opticus “of sight or seeing,” from Gk. optikos “of or having to do with sight,” from optos “seen, visible,” from op-, root of opsesthai “be going to see,” related to ops “eye,” from PIE *ok^w- “eye; to see” (→ eye); → -ics.

Etymology (PE): Nurik, from nur, → light, + -ik→ -ics. Nuršenâsi, from nur, → light, + šenâsi→ -logy.