Microscope
/ˈmaɪkrəˌskəʊp/
Definitions
An optical instrument using a lens or combination of lenses to produce magnified images of small objects, especially of objects too small to be seen by the unaided eye.
/ˈmaɪkrəˌskəʊp/
An instrument for viewing objects too small to be seen by the naked eye.
The scientist examined the sample under a microscope.
💡 Simply: Imagine you have a magnifying glass, but it's super powerful! A microscope is like that, but it can make really tiny things like germs and cells look big, so scientists can study them. Think of it as a superhero eye for small stuff!
👶 For kids: A microscope is a special tool that helps us see very, very small things that are too tiny for our eyes to see, like bugs or tiny plants.
More Examples
A powerful microscope revealed the intricate details of the cell.
Students learned how to use a microscope in their biology class.
How It's Used
"Biologists use microscopes to study cells and microorganisms."
"Pathologists use microscopes to diagnose diseases."
From the Greek words 'mikros' (small) and 'skopein' (to look at), indicating an instrument for seeing small objects.
The term 'microscope' emerged in the 17th century with the development of the first compound microscopes by scientists like Zacharias Janssen and Antonie van Leeuwenhoek. These early microscopes revealed the existence of microorganisms and revolutionized the field of biology.
Memory tip
Think of a tiny world that you can't see with your eyes, the microscope helps you explore this hidden world
Practice
Word Origin
Root: mikro-