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Focal

//ˈfəʊ.kl̩// adj, noun

Definitions

Adjective
  1. 1
    Belonging to, concerning, or located at a focus. not-comparable
  2. 2
    Limited to a small area. not-comparable
Adjective
  1. 1
    having or localized centrally at a focus wordnet
  2. 2
    of or relating to a focus wordnet
Noun
  1. 1
    One of two lines perpendicular to the axis of a cone such that the cosine of the angle between the line and the axis is equal to the ratio of the cosines o the semiangles of the cone. obsolete

    "Again, if the plane of the impressed couple intersects the mean plane between N and C, it will envelope the cone whose focals are ON, ON′, and whose internal axis is therefore OA."

  2. 2
    An object that is used to focus concentration when performing magic.

    "Choose your focals to blend well with the intention of your magical work or ritual."

  3. 3
    The individual who is the focus of a study or review, when the study or review is based on that individual's interactions with others.

    "As predicted, focals who were paired with peers produced significantly higher levels of reasoning at posttest ( M = 35.34, SD = 4.44 ) than did focals paired with adults."

  4. 4
    A representative of a group or class of people within an organizational system.

    "Attempting to balance priorities across the exploration, science, and aeronautics programs requires constant and complex negotiations betwen the center focals, the projects they represent, and Langley's engineering directorates."

  5. 5
    A sign or similar type of marketing material designed to draw attention to special deals.

    "Gesturing at the cleanliness of the design, Medill says, “Originally we had 'focals,'“—signs that call out special offers—“but they blocked eyeballs.”"

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  1. 6
    The central or most important element of something; a focal element.

    "We become "native speakers," but variably with respect to numerous valued/powered criteria of truth/goodness/beauty (focals) and their derivative values which "leave" "some” more valuable ( as speakers ) than others."

  2. 7
    A major point of interest; an attraction.

    "In the Visual Survey Analysis Report, focals are divided into four categories; visual, historical, symbolic, and cultural focals. Focals might correspond to the Kevin Lynch definition of landmarks."

  3. 8
    An exemplar of a concept.

    "So informants, like languages, show a stable, agreed upon placement of focals, but considerable variability in the boundaries for the extensions of terms."

Etymology

Etymology 1

Learned borrowing from New Latin focālis. By surface analysis, focus + -al.

Etymology 2

Learned borrowing from New Latin focālis. By surface analysis, focus + -al.

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