microscope

[ mahy-kruh-skohp ]

noun

1. an optical instrument having a magnifying lens or a combination of lenses for inspecting objects too small to be seen or too small to be seen distinctly and in detail by the unaided eye.
2. Microscope, Astronomy. the constellation Microscopium.

microscope

/ ˈmaɪkrəˌskəʊp /

noun

1. an optical instrument that uses a lens or combination of lenses to produce a magnified image of a small, close object. Modern optical microscopes have magnifications of about 1500 to 2000 See also simple microscope compound microscope ultramicroscope
2. any instrument, such as the electron microscope, for producing a magnified visual image of a small object

microscope

/ mī′krə-skōp′ /

1. Any of various instruments used to magnify small objects that are difficult or impossible to observe the naked eye.
2. ◆ Optical microscopes use light reflected from or passed through the sample being observed to form a magnified image of the object, refracting the light with an arrangement of lenses and mirrors similar to those found in telescopes.
3. See also atomic force microscope

microscope

1. A device that produces a magnified image of objects too small to be seen with the naked eye. Such objects are thus called “microscopic.” The microscope is widely used in medicine and biology . Common microscopes use lenses; others, such as electron microscopes , scan an object with electrons , x-rays , and other radiation besides ordinary visible light .

Word History and Origins

Origin of microscope¹

First recorded in 1650–60; from New Latin mīcroscopium; micro-, -scope

Example Sentences

The Covid inquiry was launched by former Prime Minister Boris Johnson in June 2022, more than a year after he said the government's actions would be put "under the microscope".

From BBC

Referees are already under pressure and an unforgiving microscope.

From BBC

And for a campaign that had focused on Biden’s age and frailty, it is now Trump whose stamina and coherence are under the microscope.

From BBC

Payne was still feeling the aftershocks of life under the 1D microscope as well.

From Los Angeles Times

Everything you do is under the microscope.

From BBC