Definify.com

Webster 1913 Edition

Microscope

Mi′cro-scope

,
Noun.
[
Micro-
+
-scope
.]
An optical instrument, consisting of a lens, or combination of lenses, for making an enlarged image of an object which is too minute to be viewed by the
naked eye
.
Compound microscope
,
an instrument consisting of a combination of lenses such that the image formed by the lens or set of lenses nearest the object (called the objective) is magnified by another lens called the ocular or eyepiece.
–
Oxyhydrogen microscope
, and
Solar microscope
.
See under
Oxyhydrogen
, and
Solar
.
–
Simple microscope
, or
Single microscope
,
a single convex lens used to magnify objects placed in its focus.

Webster 1828 Edition

Microscope

MIC'ROSCOPE

,
Noun.
[Gr. small, and to view.] An optical instrument consisting of lenses or mirrors,which magnify objects,and thus render visible minute objects which cannot be seen by the naked eye, or enlarge the apparent magnitude of small visible bodies, so as to enable us to examine their texture or construction.

Definition 2024

microscope

microscope

English

A compound microscope

Noun

microscope ‎(plural microscopes)

  1. An optical instrument used for observing small objects.
    • 1837, The Edinburgh New Philosophical Journal (volume 23, page 222)
      That he might ascertain whether any of the cloths of ancient Egypt were made of hemp, M. Dutrochet has examined with the microscope the weavable filaments of this last vegetable.
  2. Any instrument for imaging very small objects (such as an electron microscope).

Derived terms

Translations

See also

French

Etymology

micro- +‎ -scope

Noun

microscope m ‎(plural microscopes)

  1. microscope

Derived terms

Etymology

From New Latin microscopium, from Ancient Greek μικρός ‎(mikrós, “small”) + σκοπέω ‎(skopéō, “I look at”).

Pronunciation

  • (UK) IPA(key): /ˈmaɪkɹəskəʊp/
  • (US) IPA(key): /ˈmaɪkɹəskoʊp/
  • enPR: mīʹkrə-skōp'
  • Hyphenation: mi‧cro‧scope

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