a. (sb.) [ad. Gr. κατοπτρικός οf or in a mirror, f. κάτοπτρον mirror, f. κατά against + ὀπ- see + -τρον suffix of instrument.]
A. adj. Relating to a mirror or reflector, or to optical reflexion.
a. 1774. Goldsm., Exper. Phil. (1776), II. 340. There have been catoptric instruments formed for the amusement of philosophers.
1779. Phil. Trans., LXIX. 425. The telescope to which the catoptric micrometer is applied.
1831. Brewster, Optics, xli. 338. This catoptric lens, as it may be called.
1838. Proc. Amer. Phil. Soc., I. 97. The catoptric examination of the eye.
1862. Ansted, Channel Isl., I. ii. 33. The light-houses each having a catoptric light of the first order.
1867–77. G. F. Chambers, Astron., VII. i. 606.
B. sb. 1. pl. Catoptrics (formerly in sing.): That part of Optics which treats of reflexion.
1570. Dee, Math. Pref., 20. That part hereof, which dealeth with Glasses … is called Catoptrike.
1587. Golding, De Mornay, XXV. 447. He must gather togither the Beames of the Skie in a mirrour, which they call Alchemusie, made according to the Rules of Catoptrik.
1667. Phil. Trans., II. 626. The Catoptricks, that have for their Object Rays Reflected.
1700. Gregory, in Collect. (Oxf. Hist. Soc.), I. 321. Catoptricks and Dioptricks. Where the effects of Mirrors and glasses are shewed.
1864. Burton, Scot Abr., II. i. 126. He was excellently well skilled in the theory of the planets and astronomy, the opticks, catoptricks, dioptricks, the orthographical, stereographical, and schemographical projections.
† 2. An instrument or apparatus for producing effects by reflexion. Obs.
1621. Burton, Anat. Mel., I. iii. III. (1651), 211. ’Tis ordinarie to see strange uncouth figures by Catoptricks.
1644. Evelyn, Diary, 8 Nov. With Dutch patience, he shew’d us his perpetual motions, catoptrics, magnetical experiments.
