In article <3161AB5D.4750@rc-produktion.se>, robert@rc-produktion.se says...

>"My" native language (not Latin, but Swedish) uses the word "lins" for
>a single lens element, and the word "objektiv" for the combo that's
>attached to the camera and what we usually refer to as, for example,
>a Canon EF 300/2.8L $99.95 lens. German applies a similar usage with
>the word "objectif". I'm actually quite surprised that the English
>language doesn't have a word for the whole lens system. Or perhaps
>there is, but nobody uses it?

Maybe we do, sorta: Lens = single element, Lens System =
what-we-put-on-the-camera-but-shorten-to-"Lens" (?????).
Ah..., Hope This Helps