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Webster 1913 Edition


Microscope

Mi′cro-scope

,
Noun.
[
Micro-
+
-scope
.]
An optical instrument, consisting of a lens, or combination of lenses, for making an enlarged image of an object which is too minute to be viewed by the
naked eye
.
Compound microscope
,
an instrument consisting of a combination of lenses such that the image formed by the lens or set of lenses nearest the object (called the objective) is magnified by another lens called the ocular or eyepiece.
–
Oxyhydrogen microscope
, and
Solar microscope
.
See under
Oxyhydrogen
, and
Solar
.
–
Simple microscope
, or
Single microscope
,
a single convex lens used to magnify objects placed in its focus.

Webster 1828 Edition


Microscope

MIC'ROSCOPE

,
Noun.
[Gr. small, and to view.] An optical instrument consisting of lenses or mirrors,which magnify objects,and thus render visible minute objects which cannot be seen by the naked eye, or enlarge the apparent magnitude of small visible bodies, so as to enable us to examine their texture or construction.