collimate
Americanverb (used with object)
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to bring into line; make parallel.
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to adjust accurately the line of sight of (a telescope).
verb
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to adjust the line of sight of (an optical instrument)
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to use a collimator on (a beam of radiation or particles)
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to make parallel or bring into line
Other Word Forms
- collimation noun
Etymology
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 line 1 + -tus past participle suffix
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
As the black hole spins, matter can escape in the form of narrow jets called collimated outflows.
From Science Daily
High energy collisions of protons often result in production of collimated spray of particles, collected in what is termed as jets, from decay of ordinary quarks or gluons.
From Science Daily
One possible signal would be a flash of light from a collimated light beam generated to propel light sails.
From Scientific American
Seeing a collimated beam of light and controlling that, reflecting it, refracting it, making art.
From The Verge
But to reach this goal requires a major investment in the infrastructure needed to produce and collimate such a light beam.
From Scientific American
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
