microscope

mi·cro·scope

noun \ˈmī-krə-ˌskōp\

Definition of MICROSCOPE

1

: an optical instrument consisting of a lens or combination of lenses for making enlarged images of minute objects; especially : compound microscope

2

: a non-optical instrument (as one using radiations other than light or using vibrations) for making enlarged images of minute objects <an acoustic microscope>

Examples of MICROSCOPE

1. Students viewed the crystals through a microscope.

Origin of MICROSCOPE

New Latin microscopium, from micr- + -scopium -scope

First Known Use: 1651

Rhymes with MICROSCOPE

antelope, antipope, arthroscope, biotope, bronchoscope, bunny slope, calliope, cryoscope, endoscope, envelope, episcope, epitope, fluoroscope, forlorn hope, gastroscope, gyroscope, horoscope, interlope, isotope, kinescope, misanthrope, periscope, phalarope, radarscope, slippery slope, sniperscope, spectroscope, telescope

mi·cro·scope

noun \ˈmī-krə-ˌskōp\   (Medical Dictionary)

Medical Definition of MICROSCOPE

1

: an optical instrument consisting of a lens or combination of lenses for making enlarged images of minute objects; especially : compound microscope—see light microscope, phase-contrast microscope, polarizing microscope, reflecting microscope, ultraviolet microscope

2

: an instrument using radiations other than light or using vibrations for making enlarged images of minute objects <an acoustic microscope>—see electron microscope, scanning electron microscope, x-ray microscope

Illustration of MICROSCOPE

microscope

noun    (Concise Encyclopedia)

Instrument that produces enlarged images of small objects, allowing them to be viewed at a scale convenient for examination and analysis. Formed by various means, the image is received by direct imaging, electronic processing, or a combination of these methods. The most familiar type of microscope is the optical, or light, microscope, in which lenses are used to form the image. Other types of microscopes use the wave nature of various physical processes, the most important being the electron microscope (see electron microscopy), which uses a beam of electrons in its image formation. Crude microscopes date to the mid-15th century, but not until 1674 were the powerful microscopes of A. van Leeuwenhoek able to detect phenomena as small as protozoa.