hand lens

noun

1. a magnifying glass designed to be held in the hand.

Word History and Origins

Origin of hand lens¹

First recorded in 1925–30

Example Sentences

“We needed to lay on our bellies with a hand lens to observe the plant,” Guilliams said in an email.

From Los Angeles Times

This is where that hand lens is useful again, to distinguish between the two.

From Seattle Times

A 10x-magnifying hand lens may be required to confirm the identification of smaller arthropods, like the two-spotted spider mite that flourishes in hot, dry conditions, because each adult is maybe a 50th of an inch long.

From Seattle Times

No hand lens is required to diagnose anthracnose, or the most common abiotic disorders.

From Seattle Times

Occasionally, one of them would cradle it in one palm and bring a hand lens to it with the other, inspecting the carnivorous plant that was their bounty.

From New York Times