'Beatific vision' definitions:

Definition of 'Beatific vision'

From: GCIDE
  • Vision \Vi"sion\, n. [OE. visioun, F. vision, fr. L. visio, from videre, visum, to see: akin to Gr. ? to see, ? I know, and E. wit. See Wit, v., and cf. Advice, Clairvoyant, Envy, Evident, Provide, Revise, Survey, View, Visage, Visit.]
  • 1. The act of seeing external objects; actual sight. [1913 Webster]
  • Faith here is turned into vision there. --Hammond. [1913 Webster]
  • 2. (Physiol.) The faculty of seeing; sight; one of the five senses, by which colors and the physical qualities of external objects are appreciated as a result of the stimulating action of light on the sensitive retina, an expansion of the optic nerve. [1913 Webster]
  • 3. That which is seen; an object of sight. --Shak. [1913 Webster]
  • 4. Especially, that which is seen otherwise than by the ordinary sight, or the rational eye; a supernatural, prophetic, or imaginary sight; an apparition; a phantom; a specter; as, the visions of Isaiah. [1913 Webster]
  • The baseless fabric of this vision. --Shak. [1913 Webster]
  • No dreams, but visions strange. --Sir P. Sidney. [1913 Webster]
  • 5. Hence, something unreal or imaginary; a creation of fancy. --Locke. [1913 Webster]
  • Arc of vision (Astron.), the arc which measures the least distance from the sun at which, when the sun is below the horizon, a star or planet emerging from his rays becomes visible.
  • Beatific vision (Theol.), the immediate sight of God in heaven.
  • Direct vision (Opt.), vision when the image of the object falls directly on the yellow spot (see under Yellow); also, vision by means of rays which are not deviated from their original direction.
  • Field of vision, field of view. See under Field.
  • Indirect vision (Opt.), vision when the rays of light from an object fall upon the peripheral parts of the retina.
  • Reflected vision, or Refracted vision, vision by rays reflected from mirrors, or refracted by lenses or prisms, respectively.
  • Vision purple. (Physiol.) See Visual purple, under Visual. [1913 Webster]