spectroscope

[spek-truh-skohp]

noun Optics.

an optical device for producing and observing a spectrum of light or radiation from any source, consisting essentially of a slit through which the radiation passes, a collimating lens, and an Amici prism.

Origin of spectroscope

First recorded in 1860–65; spectro- + -scope

Related formsspec·tro·scop·ic

[spek-truh-skop-ik] /ˌspɛk trəˈskɒp ɪk/, spec·tro·scop·i·cal, adjectivespec·tro·scop·i·cal·ly, adverb

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for spectroscopic

Historical Examples of spectroscopic

Spectroscopic evidence of the presence of hydrogen is yet wanting.
The Story of the Heavens
Robert Stawell Ball
In 1899 it was discovered by spectroscopic evidence that the Pole Star is triple.
Pleasures of the telescope
Garrett Serviss
The spectroscopic work was the most difficult and important of all.
The Catholic World, Vol. X, October 1869
Various
Capella has been found to be a spectroscopic binary; also the pole star.
Astronomy
David Todd
To make a spectroscopic grating by diffusion we proceed as follows.
The Mechanism of Life
Stphane Leduc

British Dictionary definitions for spectroscopic

spectroscope

noun

any of a number of instruments for dispersing electromagnetic radiation and thus forming or recording a spectrumSee also spectrometer

Derived Formsspectroscopic (ˌspɛktrəˈskɒpɪk) or spectroscopical, adjectivespectroscopically, adverb

Word Origin for spectroscope

C19: from spectro- + -scope; from French, or on the model of German Spektroskop

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

Word Origin and History for spectroscopic

spectroscope

1861, from spectro- + -scope. A Greek-Latin hybrid, both elements from the same PIE root. Related: Spectroscopic; spectroscopy.

spectroscopic in Medicine

spectroscope

[spĕk′trə-skōp′]

n.

An instrument for producing and observing spectra.

Related formsspec′tro•scop′ic (-skŏp′ĭk) null adj.

spectroscopic in Science

spectroscope

[spĕk′trə-skōp′]

Any of various instruments used to analyze the component parts of a sample by separating its parts into a spectrum.♦ In a light spectroscope, light is focused into a thin beam of parallel rays by a lens, and then passed through a prism or diffraction grating that separates the light into a frequency spectrum. The intensity of light at different frequencies in the spectrum can be analyzed to determine certain properties of the source of the light, such as its chemical composition or how quickly it is moving.♦ In a mass spectroscope, sample ions are beamed through an electric or magnetic field that deflects the ions; the amount of deflection depends on the ratio of their mass to their electric charge. The ion beam is thus split into separate bands; the collection of bands is called the mass spectrum of the sample, and can be analyzed to determine the distribution of ions in the sample. Spectroscopes are also called spectrographs.