submicroscopic

adjective

sub·​mi·​cro·​scop·​ic ˌsəb-ˌmī-krə-ˈskä-pik How to pronounce submicroscopic (audio)
1
: too small to be seen in an ordinary light microscope
2
: of, relating to, or dealing with the very minute
the submicroscopic world
submicroscopically adverb

Examples of submicroscopic in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web The esoteric theory describing the behavior of particles on the submicroscopic scale rewrites the rules of normal reality we are accustomed to, substituting probability for certainty. Andrea Gawrylewski, Scientific American, 23 Apr. 2021 Here too, the structure suggested the function, with the molecule imbibing and expelling oxygen atoms almost like a submicroscopic lung. George Johnson, Discover Magazine, 16 Apr. 2013 The find may reshape scientists' understanding of how these submicroscopic infectious agents drive ecological processes in the planet's oceans. Elizabeth Gamillo, Smithsonian Magazine, 14 Apr. 2022 Engineers and scientists are using the same technology perfected over decades to make microchips to create a variety of other miniature marvels, from submicroscopic machines to new kinds of lenses. Christopher Mims, WSJ, 22 Jan. 2022 The specter of contagion and death from a submicroscopic menace had the whole world living in fear, with particular concern for the most vulnerable among us. John Gurda, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 31 Mar. 2021 But in the submicroscopic world where quantum mechanics reigns, different—and very strange—rules apply. Nikolai Sinitsyn, Scientific American, 21 Sep. 2020 During renormalization, complicated submicroscopic capers tend to just disappear. Quanta Magazine, 17 Sep. 2020

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'submicroscopic.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

International Scientific Vocabulary

First Known Use

1843, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of submicroscopic was in 1843

Dictionary Entries Near submicroscopic

Cite this Entry

“Submicroscopic.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/submicroscopic. Accessed 19 Apr. 2024.

Medical Definition

submicroscopic

adjective
sub·​mi·​cro·​scop·​ic ˌsəb-ˌmī-krə-ˈskäp-ik How to pronounce submicroscopic (audio)
: too small to be seen in an ordinary light microscope
submicroscopic particles
submicroscopic organization of a bacterium
compare macroscopic, microscopic sense 2, ultramicroscopic sense 1
submicroscopically adverb
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