simple microscope

American  

noun

1. a microscope having a single lens.

---

simple microscope British  

noun

1. a microscope having a single lens; magnifying glass Compare compound microscope

---

Etymology

Origin of simple microscope

First recorded in 1720–30

Example Sentences

In 1658 by means of a simple microscope Athanasius Kircher of Fulda, Germany, saw "worms" in the blood of people stricken with Black Plague.

From Time Magazine Archive

He had a table in the middle of the room where he sat to look at his specimens through a magnifying glass or simple microscope, and to read his scientific papers.

From "Charles and Emma: The Darwins' Leap of Faith" by Deborah Heiligman

I do not know who does the Botany; Owen does the Zoology, and I have sent him an account of my new simple microscope, which I consider perfect, even better than yours by Chevalier.

From More Letters of Charles Darwin — Volume 1 by Darwin, Francis, Sir

The first thing you need is a simple microscope, that is, one with a single lens, small enough to be carried in the pocket.

From Through a Microscope Something of the Science Together with many Curious Observations Indoor and Out and Directions for a Home-made Microscope. by Sargent, Frederick Leroy

The simple microscope—Use of the simple microscope in the telescope—The terrestrial telescope—The Galilean telescope—The prismatic telescope—The reflecting telescope—The parabolic mirror—The compound microscope—The magic-lantern—The bioscope—The plane mirror.

From How it Works Dealing in simple language with steam, electricity, light, heat, sound, hydraulics, optics, etc., and with their applications to apparatus in common use by Williams, Archibald