microscope
UK[ˈmaɪ.krə.skəʊp]US[ˈmaɪ.krə.skoʊp]
n
an optical instrument used for viewing very small objects, such as mineral samples or animal or plant cells, typically magnified several hundred times.
Morpheme Breakdown
micro
scope
micro
small
scope
instrument for viewing
Etymology
the word 'microscope' is a modern scientific term formed from two ancient greek roots. the first part, 'micro-', originates from 'mikros', meaning 'small'. the second part, '-scope', derives from 'skopein', a verb meaning 'to look at or examine'. these elements were combined in new latin as 'microscopium' during the early 17th century, coinciding with the invention of the device. the term's logic is perfectly transparent: it literally means 'an instrument for looking at small things'. this formation follows a classical pattern where greek roots are repurposed to name new technological instruments, such as 'telescope' for seeing distant objects.
Analysis
Structure: micro (small) + scope (instrument for viewing)
micro: from greek 'mikros', meaning 'small'. functions as a combining form in english to denote something extremely small in size or scale.
scope: from greek 'skopein', meaning 'to look at, to examine'. functions as a combining form in english to denote an instrument for viewing or observing.
Examples
the biologist examined the tissue sample under a powerful electron microscope.
the invention of the microscope opened up a whole new world of microorganisms.
students learned how to prepare a slide and focus the microscope.