microscope

[mahy-kruh-skohp]

noun

1. an optical instrument having a magnifying lens or a combination of lenses for inspecting objects too small to be seen or too small to be seen distinctly and in detail by the unaided eye.

2. Astronomy.,  Microscope, the constellation Microscopium.

microscope

/ ˈmaɪkrəˌskəʊp /

noun

1. an optical instrument that uses a lens or combination of lenses to produce a magnified image of a small, close object. Modern optical microscopes have magnifications of about 1500 to 2000 See also simple microscope compound microscope ultramicroscope

2. any instrument, such as the electron microscope, for producing a magnified visual image of a small object

microscope

1. Any of various instruments used to magnify small objects that are difficult or impossible to observe the naked eye.

2. ◆ Optical microscopes use light reflected from or passed through the sample being observed to form a magnified image of the object, refracting the light with an arrangement of lenses and mirrors similar to those found in telescopes.

3. See also atomic force microscope electron microscope field ion microscope

microscope

1. A device that produces a magnified image of objects too small to be seen with the naked eye. Such objects are thus called “microscopic.” The microscope is widely used in medicine and biology. Common microscopes use lenses; others, such as electron microscopes, scan an object with electrons, x-rays, and other radiation besides ordinary visible light.

Word History and Origins

Origin of microscope¹

First recorded in 1650–60; from New Latin mīcroscopium; micro-, -scope

Example Sentences

These fossils are among the earliest known seaweeds in the geological record, dating to a time when most organisms were visible only under a microscope.

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To explore the idea and confirm that their microscope performed as expected, they observed how cells behaved during cell death.

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The Murgon samples were studied using both optical and electron microscopes.

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Mice treated ahead of time avoided kidney injury, maintained normal kidney function, remained active, and had kidneys that appeared close to normal under the microscope.

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“I haven’t adjusted. I’m so grateful, but it’s f— hard being put under a microscope.”

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