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multifocal

American  
[muhl-tee-foh-kuhl, muhl-tahy-] / ˌmʌl tiˈfoʊ kəl, ˌmʌl taɪ- /

adjective

  1. having several focuses.

  2. (of an eyeglass lens) having several focusing areas that correct for both nearsightedness and farsightedness.


Etymology

Origin of multifocal

First recorded in 1915–20; multi- + focal

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

This new hypothesis attempts to solve a long-standing question in vision science: why do such varied factors, from close-up work and dim indoor lighting to treatments like atropine drops, multifocal lenses, and increased time outdoors, all seem to affect how myopia progresses?

From Science Daily

“We found more tumors. It’s multi-quadrant. Multifocal. It’s now bilateral. We found a tangerine-size section.”

From Los Angeles Times

"It would streamline the design and function of these systems while also offering a way to accomplish imaging at various depths without additional optical elements. These capabilities, coupled with the lens's multifocal properties, offer a powerful tool for depth perception in advanced imaging applications"

From Science Daily

"Despite chemotherapy, his neuroendocrine prostate cancer progressed resulting in multifocal brain metastases and a likely paraneoplastic ascending paralysis leading to his death."

From BBC

For example, doctors can use lasers instead of cutting eye lenses manually, offer multifocal eye lenses that can eliminate the need for glasses, or recommend the astigmatism fix that Green said she was sold.

From Salon