focus etymology

Etymology:

  • Latin: "focus," hearth, fireplace
  • Proto-Indo-European: *bhew-k-, to shine

Meaning:

  • The point or area on which something is concentrated or towards which attention is directed.
  • A center of activity, attention, or interest.
  • The chief or main part or feature of something.
  • The point where multiple elements converge or meet.
  • In photography and optics, the point where rays of light meet to form an image.

Origin:

The word "focus" originated in ancient Rome, where it referred to the hearth or fireplace in a house. The hearth was considered the center of the home and a source of warmth and light.

Over time, the meaning of "focus" was extended metaphorically to represent the center or main point of attention, interest, or activity. This usage became common in the 16th century and has continued to be used in various contexts since then.

In photography and optics, the term "focus" was first used in the 17th century to describe the point where rays of light converge to form an image. This usage was derived from the original meaning of "focus" as a point of convergence or meeting.

focus relate terms

  • auto focus

    Etymology Auto Greek meaning self Focus Latin meaning hearth or place of fire

  • auto

    Etymology Auto comes from the Greek word auto meaning self Meaning Auto is a pr

  • focus

    Etymology Latin focus hearth fireplace Proto Indo European bhew k to shine M

  • curfew

    Etymology Middle English curfeu from Anglo Norman French cuvrefeu from Medieval Lati

  • cover

    Etymology Origin of the Word Middle English coveren cover from the Old French covr

  • focus

    Etymology Latin focus hearth fireplace Proto Indo European bhew k to shine M

  • fuel

    Etymology Fuel Middle English c 1300 fuel from Anglo French fuail foail from Ol

  • fusilier

    Etymology French fusilier Middle French fuzilier Medieval Latin fociarius Latin foc

  • sharpen

    Etymology of sharpen The word sharpen comes from the Old English word scearpian w

  • concentrate

    Etymology Latin concentrare to bring together centralize Meaning To focus on

  • myopia

    Myopia Etymology Meaning and Origin Myopia also known as nearsightedness is a common

  • cynosure

    Etymology cyno Greek dog sura Greek tail Meaning A person or thing that is t

  • terminus

    Etymology Latin terminus meaning boundary limit or milestone From Proto Indo

  • direction

    Etymology The word direction comes from the Latin word directio which means a strai

  • rivet

    Etymology Old Norman French rivét Latin rivāre to rivet to fix Proto Indo Europe

  • stress

    Etymology of stress The word stress comes from the Latin word stringere meaning