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spectrophotometer

American  
[spek-troh-foh-tom-i-ter] / ˌspɛk troʊ foʊˈtɒm ɪ tər /

noun

  1. an instrument for making photometric comparisons between parts of spectra.


spectrophotometer British  
/ ˌspɛktrəʊfəʊˈtɒmɪtə, ˌspɛktrəʊˌfəʊtəˈmɛtrɪk /

noun

  1. an instrument for producing or recording a spectrum and measuring the photometric intensity of each wavelength present, esp such an instrument used for infrared, visible, and ultraviolet radiation See also spectrometer

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Word Forms

  • spectrophotometric adjective
  • spectrophotometrically adverb
  • spectrophotometry noun

Etymology

Origin of spectrophotometer

First recorded in 1880–85; spectro- + photometer

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Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

In a new study, researchers analyzed the videos and images of the blue-dominant aurora to estimate the area of the phenomenon and confirmed the estimates with spectrophotometers.

From Science Daily

The researchers conducted spectral analysis of the newly identified protein using a spectrophotometer, a tool that examines light properties across various spectra.

From Science Daily

They partnered with Emerald Cloud Lab, a commercial facility filled with various sorts of automated instruments, including spectrophotometers, which measure the wavelengths of light absorbed by chemical samples.

From Science Daily

Our research project uses a portable spectrophotometer to rapidly determine petiole nutrient values in a potato field.

From Salon

A larger breathalyzer unit that is found in the police station will have infrared spectrophotometer technology.

From Encyclopedia.com