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compound microscope
noun
: a microscope consisting of an objective and an eyepiece mounted in a drawtube
Examples of compound microscope in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
But the compound microscope, invented around 1600, opened up a hidden world of microbes, allowing scientists to start naming them after their shapes, said Richard Barnett, a historian of science in Britain.
—New York Times, 2 Mar. 2021
Hooke’s observations were based on a relatively simple compound microscope that had two lenses.
—Paul Falkowski, Discover Magazine, 29 Apr. 2015
In 1677 Anton van Leeuwenhoek, Dutch scientist and inventor of the first compound microscope, finally gave into peer pressure from his colleagues and used the tool to examine his own semen.
—Courtney Sexton, Smithsonian Magazine, 31 July 2020
Spring Branch Academic Institute - The biology/science classroom will add two digital stereomicroscopes and an advanced compound microscope to its lab.
—Houston Chronicle, 7 June 2019
Invented in the 16th century, the compound microscope did not contribute to scientific breakthroughs for 70 years.
—Lloyd Minor, Fortune, 5 June 2018
Around 1590, the father-son team Hans and Zacharias Janssen invented a compound microscope, with lenses at two ends of a tube, producing a nine-power enlargement.
—Doug Main, The Atlantic, 7 Apr. 2018
The person with the dubious honor of being the first to study sperm in detail was Anton van Leeuwenhoek, a Dutchman who developed the early compound microscope.
—Laura Poppick, Smithsonian, 7 June 2017
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'compound microscope.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
First Known Use
circa 1859, in the meaning defined above
Time Traveler
The first known use of compound microscope was
circa 1859
Dictionary Entries Near compound microscope
Cite this Entry
“Compound microscope.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/compound%20microscope. Accessed 31 Oct. 2024.
Kids Definition
compound microscope
noun
: a microscope having an objective and an eyepiece in a tube that can be adjusted in length
Medical Definition
compound microscope
noun
: a microscope consisting of an objective and an eyepiece mounted in a telescoping tube
More from Merriam-Webster on compound microscope
Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about compound microscope
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