opticiann.
/ɒpˈtɪʃn/, U.S. /ɑpˈtɪʃ(ə)n/ 1. An expert in or student of optics. Later also: a maker of optical instruments. Now historical.
ΘΚΠ
the world > physical sensation > sight and vision > one skilled in optics > [noun]
optic1613
optist1640
optician1672
opticist1884
1672 I. Newton in Philos. Trans. (Royal Soc.) 7 5084 What I said there, was in respect of Telescopes of the ordinary construction, signifying, that their improvement is not to be expected from the well-figuring of Glasses, as Opticians have imagin'd.
1709 J. Reynolds Death's Vision viii. Notes 15 Dr. Cheyne shows from the same Great Optician [sc. Newton] that all Bodies attract the Rayes of Light towards them in Lines perpendicular to their Surfaces.
1738 Med. Ess. (ed. 2) IV. 143 Whether Physician, Anatomist, or Optician.
1781 W. Cowper Charity 387 Some grave optician..finds that though his tubes assist the sight, They cannot give it.
1804 Philos. Trans. (Royal Soc.) 94 14 The blue glass sold by the opticians.
1837 C. R. Goring & A. Pritchard Micrographia 101 Of what description should such persons be—should they be profound opticians or microscopists?
1868 W. Lockyer & J. N. Lockyer tr. A. Guillemin Heavens (ed. 3) 494 That..our modern opticians contrive to admit more light by means of a superior polish imparted to the surfaces of the object glass.
1904 H. S. Williams Mod. Devel. of Chem. & Biol. Sci. IV. v. 112 Many opticians..quite dispaired of ever being able to make a satisfactory refracting compound microscope.
1997 H. Tredennick tr. Aristotle Posterior Analytics 91 To know the fact of the rainbow's existence is for the natural scientist; to know the reason is for the optician.
2. A person who makes up and dispenses spectacles and corrective lenses (sometimes also testing the eyes and providing a prescription).
ΘΚΠ
the world > physical sensation > sight and vision > one skilled in optics > [noun] > maker of instruments
mirrorer1309
looking-glass man1664
optician1735
the world > health and disease > healing > ophthalmology or optometry > [noun] > practitioner of
optician1892
optometrist1903
1735 Chamberlayne's Magnæ Britanniæ Notitia (ed. 31) ii. Gen. List 122 Officers and Servants attending..the Prince of Wales... Tradesmen..Optician, Nathaniel Adams.
1819 Post Office London Directory 144 Wm. Hawks, Mechanician and Optician to their Majesties.
1892 Keystone (Philadelphia) June 578/2 The optician has spent a great deal of time testing their eyes.
1912 L. Laurance Visual Optics p. vii A person with defective sight may go to the optician when he should go to the oculist.
1951 R. L. Stimson Ophthalmic Dispensing vi. 140 An ophthalmic dispenser's First Commandment is, an optician shall never express an opinion pertaining to a patient's vision or eye health.
1969 Which? Feb. 43/1 A Dispensing Optician does not do sight tests but makes up your spectacles to your prescription, wherever you have got it.
2000 Saga Mag. Feb. 31/1 It is clear that there has been a minor fashion revolution down at the high street opticians.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, June 2004; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
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