miotic: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C2Medical/Scientific
Quick answer
What does “miotic” mean?
Causing constriction of the pupil of the eye.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
Causing constriction of the pupil of the eye.
Also refers to a substance or drug that induces pupillary constriction. Can describe something relating to or characterized by mitosis (cell division), but this is a much rarer, technical homograph.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in meaning or usage. Spelling is identical.
Connotations
Purely technical/clinical in both varieties.
Frequency
Equally low-frequency and specialized in both regions.
Grammar
How to Use “miotic” in a Sentence
[substance] acts as a miotic[drug] has a miotic effectThe [eye drops] are mioticVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “miotic” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- Pilocarpine is a miotic medication used to treat glaucoma.
- The consultant noted the miotic response in the patient's left eye.
American English
- The ophthalmologist prescribed miotic eye drops to lower the intraocular pressure.
- A miotic pupil can be a sign of certain neurological conditions.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not used.
Academic
Used in medical and pharmacology textbooks/research.
Everyday
Virtually never used.
Technical
Standard term in ophthalmology clinics, surgical notes, and pharmacological descriptions.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “miotic”
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “miotic”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “miotic”
- Mispronouncing as /miːˈɒtɪk/.
- Confusing with 'meiotic' (relating to meiosis).
- Using in general contexts where 'makes pupils small' would be appropriate.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is a highly specialized medical term used almost exclusively by healthcare professionals like ophthalmologists, optometrists, and pharmacists.
Yes. As a noun, it refers to the drug or substance itself (e.g., 'Pilocarpine is a miotic'). As an adjective, it describes the effect (e.g., 'a miotic response').
A 'mydriatic' is a substance that causes dilation of the pupil, making it the direct antonym in a medical context.
It is a homograph with a rare biological term relating to cell division (mitosis). It is also often confused with the similarly spelled 'meiotic' (relating to meiosis). Context always clarifies the meaning.
Causing constriction of the pupil of the eye.
Miotic is usually medical/scientific in register.
Miotic: in British English it is pronounced /maɪˈɒt.ɪk/, and in American English it is pronounced /maɪˈɑː.t̬ɪk/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: 'My optic nerve reacts to the MIOTIC, making my pupil tiny.' It connects the word to the eye (optic) and the small 'i' in the middle can remind you of a small pupil.
Conceptual Metaphor
Not applicable for this highly technical term.
Practice
Quiz
In which context would the word 'miotic' most likely be used correctly?