simple microscope

American  

noun

1. a microscope having a single lens.

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simple microscope British  

noun

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

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Etymology

Origin of simple microscope

First recorded in 1720–30

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

simple microscope

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

They adhere in a curious manner by making little disks, like the Ampelopsis…By the way, I will enclose some specimens, and if you think it worth while, you can put them under the simple microscope.

From Life and Letters of Charles Darwin — Volume 2 by Darwin, Francis, Sir

The accompanying diagrams will explain the action of the compound microscope compared with that of the simple microscope.

From A Treatise on Physiology and Hygiene For Educational Institutions and General Readers by Hutchison, Joseph Chrisman

In one of his letters he speaks on this point, and remarks that he always suspects the work of a man who never uses the simple microscope.

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