Focalising

Part of speech: verb, adjective

Definitions

1. Adjusting a lens or optical system so that light rays converge to create a sharp image ; directing attention, effort, or resources toward a particular target or issue
2. Setting a camera or instrument into focus to produce a clear picture ; concentrating one's thoughts or efforts on a specific point or goal
3. Fine-tuning optical elements to bring an image into sharp clarity ; channeling energy, interest, or activity toward one central aim or subject

Etymology: "Focalising" is the present participle and gerund of "focalise," so its history lies in the verb. "Focalise" is the British spelling of "focalize," and the verb comes from "focal," meaning of or relating to a focus. The noun "focus" was borrowed into English from Latin, where "focus" meant hearth or fireplace, and the optical sense of a point where rays converge is the one that gave the word its modern meaning. The verb builds on that adjective-forming root. In literary and narratological criticism, "focalise" came to mean presenting events through the perspective of a particular character or narrator, so that the reader sees what that figure sees and knows. The participle and gerund carry that same sense, describing the act of filtering a story through a chosen viewpoint.

Synonyms: focus