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   focus

   /ˈfəʊkəs/

   noun

   • 1. the centre of interest or activity: "this generation has made the environment a focus of attention" Similar centrefocal pointcentral pointcentre of attentionhubpivotnucleusheartcornerstonelinchpinkingpinbedrockbasisanchorbackbonecynosure
   • ▪ an act of concentrating interest or activity on something: "our focus on the customer's requirements" Similar emphasisaccentpriorityattentionconcentrationweightagesubjectthemeconcernsubject mattertopicissuequestiontextthesiscontentpointmotifthreadsubstanceessencegistmatter
   • ▪ the point of origin of an earthquake.
   • ▪ the principal site of an infection or other disease.
   • 2. the state or quality of having or producing clear visual definition: "his face is rather out of focus" Similar focal pointpoint of convergence
   • ▪ another term for focal point
   • ▪ the point at which an object must be situated with respect to a lens or mirror for an image of it to be well defined.
   • ▪ a device on a lens which can be adjusted to produce a clear image.
   • 3. one of the fixed points from which the distances to any point of a given curve, such as an ellipse or parabola, are connected by a linear relation.
   • 4. an element of a sentence that is given prominence by intonational or other means.

   verb

   • 1. adapt to the prevailing level of light and become able to see clearly: "try to focus on a stationary object"
   • ▪ cause (one's eyes) to focus: "she focused her eyes on his face"
   • ▪ adjust the focus of (a telescope, camera, or other instrument): "they were focusing a telescope on a star" Similar bring into focusbring to a focusaimpointturn
   • ▪ (of rays or waves) meet at a single point.
   • ▪ (of a lens) make (rays or waves) meet at a single point.
   • ▪ (of light, radio waves, or other energy) become concentrated into a sharp beam.
   • ▪ (of a lens) concentrate (light, radio waves, or energy) into a sharp beam. Similar bring into focusbring to a focusaimpointturn
   • 2. pay particular attention to: "the study will focus on a number of areas in Wales"
   • ▪ concentrate: "an opportunity to focus research on the health needs of the population" Similar concentratefixcentrepivotzero inzoom inaddress itself topay attention topinpointspotlightrevolve aroundhave as its starting point
   • 3. place the focus on (an element of a sentence).

   Word Origin mid 17th century (as a term in geometry and physics): from Latin, literally ‘domestic hearth’.

   Derivatives

   • 1. focuser noun

   Scrabble Points: 10

   • F

     4

   • O

     1

   • C

     3

   • U

     1

   • S

     1

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