Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 2001/08/29

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Subject: RE: [Leica] lense is indeed an acceptable spelling of lens...
From: "Austin Franklin" <darkroom@ix.netcom.com>
Date: Thu, 30 Aug 2001 00:29:00 -0400

Don't say this on the Rollei list...I've pointed it out a "few" times and
all sorts of Medieval "remedies" will be offered to cure your errant ways!

It really amazes me how some people get so worked up over this word in
particular.

> i don't know why this seems to come up all the time, but it does ...
> anyway ... my mirriam websters collegiate dictionary (an american edition
> even) does indeed list "lense" as an accepted alternate spelling to
> "lens". i checked, and it's on their web version as well
> (www.yourdictionary.com):
>
> Main Entry: 1lens
> Function: noun
> Etymology: New Latin lent-, lens, from Latin, lentil; from its shape
> Date: 1693
> Variant(s): also lense /'lenz/
> 1 a : a piece of transparent material (as glass) that has two opposite
> regular surfaces either both curved or one curved and the other plane and
> that is used either singly or combined in an optical instrument for
> forming an image by focusing rays of light b : a combination of two or
> more simple lenses c : a piece of glass or plastic used (as in safety
> goggles or sunglasses) to protect the eye
> 2 : a device for directing or focusing radiation other than light (as
> sound waves, radio microwaves, or electrons)
> 3 : something shaped like a biconvex optical lens
> 4 : a highly transparent biconvex lens-shaped or nearly spherical body in
> the eye that focuses light rays (as upon the retina)
> 5 : something that facilitates and influences perception, comprehension,
> or evaluation
> - lensed /'lenzd/ adjective
> - lens.less /'lenz-l&s/ adjective