microtome

American  

[mahy-kruh-tohm] / ˈmaɪ krəˌtoʊm /

noun

1. an instrument for cutting very thin sections, as of organic tissue, for microscopic examination.

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microtome British  

/ ˈmaɪkrəʊˌtəʊm /

noun

1. an instrument used for cutting thin sections, esp of biological material, for microscopical examination

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Other Word Forms

• microtomic adjective
• microtomist noun

Etymology

Origin of microtome

First recorded in 1855–60; micro- + -tome

Example Sentences

Embryonic tissue was too delicate to withstand pressure from the clasp of a microtome.

From Scientific American • Apr. 9, 2022

King George III commissioned him to make an elaborate instrument for recording atmospheric pressure, and he pioneered the microtome, a device for cutting ultra-fine slivers of wood for microscopic analysis.

From BBC • Oct. 15, 2017

Sections were cut on a Leica Ultracut E microtome with a Diatome diamond knife at a thickness setting of 50 nm, stained with uranyl acetate, and lead citrate.

From Nature • Mar. 21, 2017

Then, with a microtome, they cut off slices only hundredths of a millimeter thick.

From Time Magazine Archive

The demonstrator turned, walked slowly back past the microtome, and left the laboratory by the preparation-room door.

From The Country of the Blind, and Other Stories by Wells, H. G. (Herbert George)