microdot

American  

[mahy-kruh-dot] / ˈmaɪ krəˌdɒt /

noun

1. a photograph reduced to the size of a printed period, used especially to transmit messages, photographs, drawings, etc.

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verb (used with object)

microdotted, microdotting

1. to make a microdot of.

microdot British  

/ ˈmaɪkrəʊˌdɒt /

noun

1. a microcopy about the size of a pinhead, used esp in espionage

2. a tiny tablet containing LSD

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Etymology

Origin of microdot

First recorded in 1945–50; micro- + dot ¹

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

microdot microdotted

At the opening night party held the previous Thursday, stylish Miami locals in varsity jackets and microdot shirts outnumbered tourists.

From New York Times ● Jan. 25, 2013

Curiously enough, police searching Helen Kroger's handbag had found a microdot message from Lonsdale's wife and a six-page handwritten letter in Russian from Lonsdale in reply.

From Time Magazine Archive

So long as the Soviet Union faced off against the U.S., the chief mission of American intelligence gathering could be summarized in a microdot: watch Moscow and all its worldwide doings.

From Time Magazine Archive

Their modest home was littered with the latest espionage devices, ranging from microdot readers to long-range radio-transmission equipment.

From Time Magazine Archive

Along with $6,500 and a promise of a monthly $500 retainer, he was given a miniature tape recorder, secret writing paper and a deciphering code for microdot messages.

From Time Magazine Archive

Some messages were recorded on a film which could be softened and rolled into a ball; others were microdotted, i.e., whole pages of printing were reduced on film to pinhead size.

From Time Magazine Archive