collimate

[ kol-uh-meyt ]

verb (used with object)

, col·li·mat·ed, col·li·mat·ing.

1. to bring into line; make parallel.
2. to adjust accurately the line of sight of (a telescope).

collimate

/ ˈkɒlɪˌmeɪt /

verb

1. to adjust the line of sight of (an optical instrument)
2. to use a collimator on (a beam of radiation or particles)
3. to make parallel or bring into line

Derived Forms

• ˌcolliˈmation, noun

Other Words From

• colli·mation noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of collimate¹

1615–25; < Latin collimātus, misreading of collineātus, past participle of collineāre to direct in a straight line, equivalent to col- col- ¹ + -lineā-, verbal derivative of linea line ¹ + -tus past participle suffix

Word History and Origins

Origin of collimate¹

C17: from New Latin collimāre, erroneously for Latin collīneāre to aim, from com- (intensive) + līneāre, from līnea line

Example Sentences

As the black hole spins, matter can escape in the form of narrow jets called collimated outflows.

From Science Daily

High energy collisions of protons often result in production of collimated spray of particles, collected in what is termed as jets, from decay of ordinary quarks or gluons.

From Science Daily

One possible signal would be a flash of light from a collimated light beam generated to propel light sails.

From Scientific American

Seeing a collimated beam of light and controlling that, reflecting it, refracting it, making art.

From The Verge

But to reach this goal requires a major investment in the infrastructure needed to produce and collimate such a light beam.

From Scientific American

Related Words

• complement
• correlate
• correspond
• imitate