| Vision | n. [ OE. visioun, F. vision, fr. L. visio, from videre, visum, to see: akin to Gr. &unr_; to see, &unr_; I know, and E. wit. See Wit, v., and cf. Advice, Clairvoyant, Envy, Evident, Provide, Revise, Survey, View, Visage, Visit. ] 1. The act of seeing external objects; actual sight. [ 1913 Webster ] Faith here is turned into vision there. Hammond. [ 1913 Webster ] 2. (Physiol.) The faculty of seeing; sight; one of the five senses, by which colors and the physical qualities of external objects are appreciated as a result of the stimulating action of light on the sensitive retina, an expansion of the optic nerve. [ 1913 Webster ] 3. That which is seen; an object of sight. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ] 4. Especially, that which is seen otherwise than by the ordinary sight, or the rational eye; a supernatural, prophetic, or imaginary sight; an apparition; a phantom; a specter; as, the visions of Isaiah. [ 1913 Webster ] The baseless fabric of this vision. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ] No dreams, but visions strange. Sir P. Sidney. [ 1913 Webster ] 5. Hence, something unreal or imaginary; a creation of fancy. Locke. [ 1913 Webster ]
Arc of vision (Astron.), the arc which measures the least distance from the sun at which, when the sun is below the horizon, a star or planet emerging from his rays becomes visible. --
Beatific vision (Theol.), the immediate sight of God in heaven. --
Direct vision (Opt.), vision when the image of the object falls directly on the yellow spot (see under Yellow); also, vision by means of rays which are not deviated from their original direction. --
Field of vision, field of view. See under Field. --
Indirect vision (Opt.), vision when the rays of light from an object fall upon the peripheral parts of the retina. --
Reflected vision, or
Refracted vision, vision by rays reflected from mirrors, or refracted by lenses or prisms, respectively. --
Vision purple. (Physiol.) See Visual purple, under Visual. [ 1913 Webster ]
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| Visionary | a. [ Cf. F. visionnaire. ] 1. Of or pertaining to a visions or visions; characterized by, appropriate to, or favorable for, visions. [ 1913 Webster ] The visionary hour
When musing midnight reigns. Thomson. [ 1913 Webster ] 2. Affected by phantoms; disposed to receive impressions on the imagination; given to reverie; apt to receive, and act upon, fancies as if they were realities. [ 1913 Webster ] Or lull to rest the visionary maid. Pope. [ 1913 Webster ] 3. Existing in imagination only; not real; fanciful; imaginary; having no solid foundation; as, visionary prospect; a visionary scheme or project. Swift. [ 1913 Webster ] Syn. -- Fanciful; fantastic; unreal. See Fanciful. [ 1913 Webster ] |
