visual

A interference pattern or perceived (imaginary) interference pattern of photons that excite regions within the brain that appeal to the sense of sight.

Other definitions:

1. Of or relating to the sense of sight: a visual organ; visual receptors on the retina.
   
2. Seen or able to be seen by the eye; visible: a visual presentation.
3. Done, maintained, or executed by sight only: visual navigation.
4. Having the nature of or producing an image in the mind: a visual memory of the scene.

Also used to describe materials used in promotion or for illustration or narration. Often used in the plural: an ad campaign with striking visuals; trying to capture a poem in a cinematic visual.

as a noun, "visual" is a mental image. Usage: "Oh my god, I just got the best visual of these kids getting ready for the concert!"
This is in tribute to my pal Amy, who taught me that yotta yell at deer. She was always cracking up and explaining, "I just had the funniest visual of that happening!"

Vis"u*al (?), a. [L. visualis, from visus a seeing, sight: cf. F. visuel. See Vision.]

1.

Of or pertaining to sight; used in sight; serving as the instrument of seeing; as, the visual nerve.

The air, Nowhere so clear, sharpened his visual ray. Milton.

2.

That can be seen; visible.

[R.]

Visual angle. Opt. See under Angle. -- Visual cone Persp., a cone whose vertex is at the point of sight, or the eye. -- Visual plane, any plane passing through the point of sight. -- Visual point, the point at which the visual rays unite; the position of the eye. -- Visual purple Physiol., a photochemical substance, of a purplish red color, contained in the retina of human eyes and in the eyes of most animals. It is quickly bleached by light, passing through the colors, red, orange, and yellow, and then disappearing. Also called rhodopsin, and vision purple. See Optography. -- Visual ray, a line from the eye, or point of sight. -- Visual white Physiol., the final product in the action of light on visual purple. It is reconverted into visual purple by the regenerating action of the choroidal epithelium. -- Visual yellow Physiol., a product intermediate between visual purple and visual white, formed in the photochemical action of light on visual purple.

 

© Webster 1913.