focals

Noun

focal (plural focals)

1. (obsolete) 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.
   • 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.1877, James Booth, A Treatise on Some New Geometrical Methods, page 209
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.2000, Sirona Knight, Celtic Traditions: Druids, Faeries, and Wiccan Rituals, page 193
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.1992, Merrill-Palmer Quarterly - Volume 38, page 198
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.2007 Spring, Keith L. Woodman, “Nothing Weak About It: Thriving in a Weak-Matrix Project Environment”, in Ask Magazine, page 47
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.”2007, David Weinberger, Everything Is Miscellaneous
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.1997, Lewis Acrelius Froman, Language and Power, page 100

See all 11 meanings of focal