Noun

1. The physics of light and vision.
2. The light-related aspects of a device.

   The optics of this telescope are particularly good.

3. Perception, image, public relations.
   • 2007 January 1, Mark Steyn, "Blowing a 'hinge moment' of history", in The Jerusalem Post:

     I'd be interested to know whether US authorities proffered any "advice" on the optics: Ixnay on the torture dungeon, ; if you have to have victims' loved ones present, go for the widows and photogenic orphans rather than Moqtada's boys.