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scope

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Scope is range of understanding, thought or action.

(noun)

An example of scope is someone having the ability to run a marathon.

See scope in Webster's New World College Dictionary

noun

the extent of the mind's grasp; range of perception or understanding: a problem beyond his scope
the range or extent of action, inquiry, etc., or of an activity, concept, etc.: the scope of a book
room or opportunity for freedom of action or thought; free play
telescope, microscope, radarscope, etc.
Naut. length, extent, or sweep, as of a cable
Now Rare end; purpose

Origin: It scopo < L scopus, goal, target < Gr skopos, a mark, spy, watcher < base of skopein, to see, altered by metathesis < IE base *spe-, to peer, look carefully > spy, L specere, to see

transitive verb scoped, scoping

Slang to look at or look into carefully; scrutinize; investigate; examine closely: often with out

an instrument, etc. for seeing or observing: telescope, retinoscope, kaleidoscope

Origin: LL -scopium < Gr -skopion < skopein: see scope

See scope in American Heritage Dictionary 4

noun

The range of one's perceptions, thoughts, or actions.
Breadth or opportunity to function. See Synonyms at room.
The area covered by a given activity or subject. See Synonyms at range.
The length or sweep of a mooring cable.
Informal A viewing instrument such as a periscope, microscope, or telescope.

transitive verb scoped scoped, scop·ing, scopes
Slang

To examine or investigate. Often used with out: “Their World Wide Web site is, for now, the best place to scope out the future of the media business in cyberspace.” (Marc Gunther).

Origin:

Origin: Italian scopo, aim, purpose

Origin: , from Greek skopos, target, aim; see spek- in Indo-European roots

suffix

An instrument for viewing or observing: bronchoscope.

Origin:

Origin: New Latin -scopium

Origin: , from Greek -skopion

Origin: , from skopein, to see; see spek- in Indo-European roots

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