collimate

[ kol-uh-meyt ]

verb (used with object)

, col·li·mat·ed, col·li·mat·ing.

1. to bring into line; make parallel.
2. to adjust accurately the line of sight of (a telescope).

collimate

/ ˈkɒlɪˌmeɪt /

verb

1. to adjust the line of sight of (an optical instrument)
2. to use a collimator on (a beam of radiation or particles)
3. to make parallel or bring into line

Derived Forms

• ˌcolliˈmation, noun

Other Words From

• colli·mation noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of collimate¹

1615–25; < Latin collimātus, misreading of collineātus, past participle of collineāre to direct in a straight line, equivalent to col- col- ¹ + -lineā-, verbal derivative of linea line ¹ + -tus past participle suffix

Word History and Origins

Origin of collimate¹

C17: from New Latin collimāre, erroneously for Latin collīneāre to aim, from com- (intensive) + līneāre, from līnea line

Related Words

• complement
• correlate
• correspond
• imitate