Lens (genus)
Lens is a genus of the legume family mostly known for its edible seeds, which are referred to as lentils. Lens contains four species of small, erect or climbing herbs with pinnate leaves, small inconspicuous white flowers, and small flattened pods. The lentil most commonly eaten is the seed of Lens culinaris.
References
Lens
Lens may refer to:
Optics
- Lens (anatomy), a part of the eye
- Corrective lens for correction of human vision
- Contact lens, placed on the cornea of the eye
- Camera lens, a lens designed for use on a camera
- Contact lens, placed on the cornea of the eye
Other radiation focus and forces
Places
Lens (optics)
A lens is a transmissive optical device that affects the focus of a light beam through refraction. A simple lens consists of a single piece of material, while a compound lens consists of several simple lenses (elements), usually along a common axis. Lenses are made from transparent materials such as glass, ground and polished to a desired shape. A lens can focus light to form an image, unlike a prism, which refracts light without focusing. Devices that similarly refract radiation other than visible light are also called lenses, such as microwave lenses or acoustic lenses.
History
The word lens comes from the Latin name of the lentil, because a double-convex lens is lentil-shaped. The genus of the lentil plant is Lens, and the most commonly eaten species is Lens culinaris. The lentil plant also gives its name to a geometric figure.
The variant spelling lense is sometimes seen. While it is listed as an alternative spelling in some dictionaries, most mainstream dictionaries do not list it as acceptable.
Lens (surname)
Lens is a surname. Notable people with the surname include:
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