MICROSCOPIC


Meaning of MICROSCOPIC in English

| ̷ ̷ ̷ ̷|skäpik, -pēk adjective

or mi·cro·scop·i·cal -pə̇kəl, -pēk-

Etymology: microscopic from (assumed) New Latin microscopicus, from New Latin microscopium + Latin icus -ic; microscopical from (assumed) New Latin microscopic us + English -al

1.

a. usually microscopical : of, relating to, or conducted with the microscope or microscopy

microscopical examination

b. : attainable by use of the microscope

microscopic accuracy

2. : resembling a microscope : able to see very minute objects

the microscopic eye of the engraver — American Guide Series: New Jersey

3.

a. : so small or fine as to be invisible or not clearly distinguished without the use of a microscope

microscopic plants

microscopic crystallization

— often distinguished from submicroscopic and ultramicroscopic; opposed to macroscopic

b. bc very small or fine

a microscopic dog

no matter how microscopic his wage — Irving Stone

microscopic division of labor — P.M.Mazur

c. : extremely accurate or meticulous

examined the object with microscopic care

Synonyms: see small

Webster's New International English Dictionary.      Новый международный словарь английского языка Webster.