Definition:Focus/Linguistic Note
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Linguistic Note on Focus
The word focus is of Latin origin, hence its irregular plural form foci.
It was introduced into geometry by Johannes Kepler when he established his First Law of Planetary Motion. The word in Latin means fireplace or hearth, which is appropriate, considering the position of the sun.
The pronunciation of foci has a hard c, and is rendered approximately as folk-eye.
Beware the solecism of pronouncing it fo-sigh, which is incorrect.
Sources
- 1992: George F. Simmons: Calculus Gems ... (previous) ... (next): Chapter $\text {A}.10$: Kepler ($\text {1571}$ – $\text {1630}$): Footnote $4$