monocular
nounEtymology From mono- + ocular.
1
Rare A monocle.
- The moony monocular set in his eye / Appeared to be scanning the Sweet Bye-and-Bye.1911, Ambrose Bierce, “lord”, in The Devil’s Dictionary, New York, N.Y.; Washington, D.C.: The Neale Publishing Company, →OCLC:
2
Retronym A monocular telescope, as opposed to binoculars.
- Monoculars are designed to fit discreetly in the hand, improving their cosmetic appearance. Most monoculars sold today have one primary optical difference from binoculars: the ability to focus at close range. These are known as short-focus telescopes.2010, Duane R. Geruschat, Audrey J. Smith, “Low Vision for Orientation and Mobility”, in Foundations of Orientation and Mobility, 3rd edition, volumes 1: History and Theory, New York: American Foundation for the Blind, page 75: