Dictionary.com
definitions
  • synonyms

collimate

[kol-uh-meyt]
See more synonyms for collimate on Thesaurus.com
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).
Show More

Origin of collimate

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 line1 + -tus past participle suffix
Related formscol·li·ma·tion, noun
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
British Dictionary definitions for collimate

collimate

verb (tr)
  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
Show More
Derived Formscollimation, noun

Word Origin

C17: from New Latin collimāre, erroneously for Latin collīneāre to aim, from com- (intensive) + līneāre, from līnea line
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012