catoptro-, catoptr- +

(Greek: mirror; from kat-[a], "against, back" plus op-[tos], "seen" plus the noun-forming suffix -tron)


catoptric, katoptric
1. Relating to reflected light.
2. Relating to or involving a mirror or reflection.
3. Pertaining to vergence changes produced by reflections.
4. Describing an optical system that operates only by reflection.
catoptrical, catoptrically
1. Of or relating to catoptrics.
2. Produced by or based on mirrors.
catoptrics
1. The study of the physics of light reflection.
2. A branch of optics involved with the formation of images by mirrors.
catoptric system
An optical system in which images are produced by curved-surface mirrors.
catoptromancy, catotromancy, catoxtromancy, cattobomancy, catoptomancy
Divination with a crystal ball, a lens, mirrors, or other reflective surface.

The Greeks put metal “mirrors” under the water or held them in a fountain and interpreted the reflections. Predictions were also made by using a glass which was suspended over a holy well; the reflections on the glass “revealed” the secrets hidden in the water.

It included divination based on how a face appeared when viewed in a "mirror" underwater.

catoptromania
1. An abnormal fondness for or love of mirrors.
2. A compulsion to use mirrors; especially, to look at oneself in a mirror whenever possible.
catoptromantic
A reference to divination by means of a mirror.
catoptron
1. A reflecting optical glass or instrument.
2. A mirror.
catoptrophobia
An excessive fear of mirrors that may be based on ancient fears and superstitions about reflections.

The earliest known "looking-glasses", or mirrors, were the quiet waters of pools or ponds. Primitives believed that when they saw their own images in pools, or any other reflective surfaces, they didn't just see a reflection, but their own souls looking back at them.

Some people who have dysmorphobia fear looking in mirrors because seeing their reflections provokes anxiety about their physical conditions or appearances.

Another theory says that in the past, catoptromancy, or mirror divination, was practiced and so probably encouraged fears of mirrors and images.

catoptroscope
An instrument used to examine objects by means of reflected light.

Related "mirror" word families: eisoptro-; enoptro; mirac-, mir-.


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