plano-convex
|pla-no-con-vex|
🇺🇸
/ˌpleɪnoʊkənˈvɛks/
🇬🇧
/ˌpleɪnəʊkənˈvɛks/
flat + outward-curving
Etymology
'plano-convex' originates from Latin, specifically the combining form 'plano-' from 'planus' meaning 'flat' and 'convex' from 'convexus' meaning 'arched or vaulted'.
'plano' derives from Latin 'planus' and entered English usage as a combining form (e.g., plano-) used in technical descriptions; 'convex' comes from Latin 'convexus'. The compound 'plano-convex' arose in English technical/optical usage in the 19th century to describe a lens with one flat and one convex surface.
Initially used to describe geometric surfaces ('flat' + 'arched'), it has remained specialized and is now chiefly used in optics and engineering to denote a surface or lens with one flat and one outward-curving face.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Adjective 1
having one surface that is flat (plano) and the opposite surface that is outwardly curved (convex); commonly used to describe a lens or optical surface.
The microscope used a plano-convex lens to focus the light onto the specimen.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Last updated: 2025/11/26 11:23