I. ˈskōp noun
( -s )
Etymology: Italian scopo aim, goal, purpose, object, from Latin scopus, from Greek skopos watcher, goal, purpose, object; akin to Greek skopein to view, contemplate, inspect — more at spy
1. : space or opportunity for free and unhampered motion, activity, intention, thought, or vision : breadth , comprehensiveness
full scope for the exercise of such ability as I had — R.M.Lovett
a mind remarkable both for its scope and its mastery over details — John Buchan
2.
a. : an intention in speaking or writing : purpose
the author's scope or aim
b. : something aimed at or desired : object , end
making religion the main scope of his life
c. obsolete : a mark aimed at : goal
arrows speeding to the scope
3. chiefly dialect : a tract of land especially when extensive
4.
a. : the general range or extent of cognizance, consideration, activity, or influence
the synopsis is a very brief indication of the scope of the whole argument — Norman Angell
the scope of this view — more than 100 miles in all directions — American Guide Series: Vermont
humility … a sense of infinite powers beyond our scope — M.R.Cohen
b. : the limited field or subject under consideration : the range of the matter being treated : the marked off area of relevancy
the period of his public career … lies outside the scope of this book — R.W.Southern
with the extension of the scope of government to include a wide array of public services — W.J.Shepard
c. : length of cable or hawser on which a ship rides
pay out more scope , stand by to make sail — S.E.Morison
5. : domain 7
6. : the range of operation of a logical operator : the part of a statement in the functional calculus that is governed by a quantifier
Synonyms: see range
II. noun
( -s )
Etymology: -scope
1. : any of various instruments for viewing or observing: as
a. : bronchoscope
b. : gastroscope
c. : microscope
d. : telescope
e. : telescope sight
f. : oscilloscope
g. : radarscope
2. : horoscope
III. transitive verb
: to look at a person or a thing often for the purpose of evaluation
scoped the dangerous ledge
— often used with out
scoped her out from across the room — Tim Allis