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Original · left

Oculus (architecture)

A circular opening at the top of a dome or in a wall, like the one in Rome's Pantheon.

First in use: ancient / pre-modern
Duplicate · right

Oculus (VR)

The virtual reality headset brand bought by Facebook in 2014, now Meta Quest.

First in use: c. 2012

Oculus / Oculus (architecture) / Oculus (VR)

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Canonical todayMeasuring…
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Duplicate share · 12 mo—
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Colour keyGrey · original meaningGreen · duplicate meaningAmber · contested (40–60%)How colours work

The Pantheon's eye to the sky became a VR headset.

Which meaning of Oculus is the original, and which one is the duplicate riding on its name? Oculus (architecture) came first (ancient / pre-modern). Oculus (VR) arrived in 2012. The data below shows which one owns the word now.

Wikipedia pageviews since 2015

Oculus (architecture)Oculus (VR)
English Wikipedia pageviews since July 2015 load here.

Duplicate's share of attention

Green line = duplicate's % · above 60 it owns the word · below 40 the original does

Share-of-attention line loads here.

The case for each meaning

Sourced definitions, usage stats and quotes

Original · ancient / pre-modern

Oculus (architecture)

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Duplicate · c. 2012

Oculus (VR)

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