spectroscope

[ spek-truh-skohp ]

/ ˈspɛk trəˌskoʊp /

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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.

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Origin of spectroscope

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

OTHER WORDS FROM spectroscope

spec·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. 2023

How to use spectroscope in a sentence

One of those observations is BOSS: the Baryon Oscillation Spectroscopic Survey.
Using Black Holes to Measure Dark Energy, Like a BOSS|Matthew R. Francis|April 13, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Later today, assuming all goes according to plan, NASA will launch the nuclear spectroscopic telescope array, or NuSTAR.
5 Cool Facts About NASA’s NuSTAR X-Ray Telescope|Jesse Singal|June 13, 2012|DAILY BEAST
The characteristics of the blood and its spectroscopic appearances are described at p. 58.
Poisons: Their Effects and Detection|Alexander Wynter Blyth
They may be there, probably are there, but the spectroscopic proof of their presence is more difficult to obtain.
A Text-Book of Astronomy|George C. Comstock

The bright star Capella is an excellent illustration of these spectroscopic binaries.
A Text-Book of Astronomy|George C. Comstock
It should be remarked that these numbers rest on spectroscopic results, which need further confirmation.
The Popular Science Monthly, October, 1900|Various
It may be well, however, before describing it, to indicate in a few words the meaning of various kinds of spectroscopic evidence.
Myths and Marvels of Astronomy|Richard A. Proctor

British Dictionary definitions for spectroscope

spectroscope

/ (ˈspɛktrəˌskəʊp) /

noun

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

Derived forms of spectroscope

spectroscopic (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

Scientific definitions for spectroscope

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.