Anastigmat

/əˈnæstɪɡmæt/ noun

Definition

A type of lens or optical system designed to correct astigmatism, producing images free from distortion caused by uneven lens curvature.

Etymology

From 'ana-' (back, again) + 'stigmat' (from Greek 'stigma' meaning mark or point). The term emerged in optical engineering in the late 19th century as lens technology advanced.

Kelly Says

The invention of anastigmatic lenses was a quiet revolution in photography and microscopy—suddenly scientists could see bacteria and distant stars with crystal clarity, transforming what telescopes and microscopes could reveal about reality.

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