microscope Hear it!

microscope Definition

micro·scope (krə skōp′)

noun

an instrument consisting essentially of a lens or combination of lenses, for making very small objects, as microorganisms, look larger so that they can be seen and studied

Etymology: ModL microscopium: see micro- & -scope

microscope Synonyms

microscope

n.

lens, magnifying glass, optical instrument, scope*, mike*; see also lens.

Microscopes include: high-powered, compound, photographic, electron, electronic.

microscope Usage Examples

Converse of object

  • dissect: I recently had occasion to examine one of the stereo dissecting microscopes from China.
  • polarize: The colors appear under the polarized light microscope that earth scientists use to identify rock crystals.
  • polarize: The lenses from an old pair of Polaroid sunglasses may be used to make a simple polarizing microscope.
  • scan: The image was taken on a scanning electron microscope.
  • tunnel: Space probes, electron tunneling microscopes extend our sensory range.

Preposition: at

  • magnification: Expression of P53 was estimated semiquantitatively with the use of a light microscope at a magnification of x 400.

Adjective modifier

  • confocal: SCULLY: Actually, it's an image created by what's called a confocal microscope.
  • binocular: The float of each sample was studied under a low power binocular microscope.
  • inverted: Just prior to his visit, I had acquired a Wild inverted plankton microscope with phase.
  • atomic: Using the sharp tip of an atomic force microscope, nanometer-sized holes will be created on various surfaces.
  • optical: Using an optical microscope Wembley Stadium would look like a blurred blob.
  • stereo: Images were taken using a CCD camera attached to the eyepiece tube of a stereo microscope using a x1 paired objective with no eyepiece.

Modifies a noun

  • eyepiece: One spectacle lens is placed in front of the light source and the other is placed on top of the microscope eyepiece.
  • slide: The trick is to transfer a sample from the Petri dish to the microscope slide without damaging the structure of the mold.

Noun used with modifier

  • electron: Only with the use of an electron microscope are these " ghost " mast cells seen.
  • fluorescence: The tutorial initializes with a cut-away schematic diagram of a reflected light fluorescence microscope appearing in the window.
  • stereo: Large feathers are easy to study under a hand lens or low power stereo microscope.
  • probe: Atomic resolution is possible using electron microscopes and scanning probe microscopes.
  • transmission: The image was acquired using electron holography in a field emission gun transmission electron microscope.
  • compound: For high power compound microscopes no other adapter is needed.