Search Result for "optically active":

The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:

Optically \Op"tic*al*ly\, adv. 1. By optics or sight. [1913 Webster] 2. With reference to optics. [1913 Webster] Optically active, Optically inactive (Chem. Physics), terms used of certain isomeric substances which, while identical with each other in other respects, differ in this, viz., that they do or do not produce right-handed or left-handed circular polarization of light. See optical activity. Optically positive, Optically negative. See under Refraction. [1913 Webster]
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:

optical activity \optical activity\ n. (Chem.) the ability of a chemical compound to rotate the plane of plane-polarized light. This is found only in chemicals whose molecular structure does not have a plane of symmetry, and is common in biochemical compounds. -- optically active adj. [PJC]