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

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

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

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

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

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

From Time Magazine Archive