spectroscope

noun

spec·​tro·​scope ˈspek-trə-ˌskōp How to pronounce spectroscope (audio)
: an instrument for forming and examining spectra especially in the visible region of the electromagnetic spectrum
spectroscopic adjective
spectroscopically adverb
spectroscopist noun

Examples of spectroscope in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Unfortunately the spectroscope on board MRO isn't capable of seeing these flows well enough to tell us what they're made of. Phil Plait, Discover Magazine, 4 Aug. 2011 His profound intuition had to wait three centuries to be verified by the spectroscope. Corey S. Powell, Discover Magazine, 13 Mar. 2014 The planetary fragment at SDSS J1228 was found by examining the spectra of the star, or the breaking down of its light into constituent elements with a device called a spectroscope. John Wenz, Popular Mechanics, 4 Apr. 2019 Similar in design to a telescope, the spectroscope worked like a super-powered prism, dispersing light into measurable wavelengths. Chris Stirewalt, Fox News, 17 Aug. 2018 The Webb will include a more advanced spectroscope capable of peering even deeper into time. Jason Daley, Smithsonian, 19 Jan. 2018 But a bright yellow line seen through the spectroscope, initially thought to be an identifier of sodium, did not match the wavelength of sodium. Kenneth Chang, New York Times, 14 Aug. 2017

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'spectroscope.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

International Scientific Vocabulary

First Known Use

1861, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of spectroscope was in 1861

Dictionary Entries Near spectroscope

Cite this Entry

“Spectroscope.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/spectroscope. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

spectroscope

noun
spec·​tro·​scope ˈspek-trə-ˌskōp How to pronounce spectroscope (audio)
: an instrument that produces spectra from or by the use of electromagnetic waves (as of light)
spectroscopy
spek-ˈträs-kə-pē
noun

Medical Definition

spectroscope

noun
spec·​tro·​scope ˈspek-trə-ˌskōp How to pronounce spectroscope (audio)
: an instrument for forming and examining optical spectra
spectroscopic adjective
spectroscopically adverb

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