n. & v.
n. 1 an optical instrument using lenses or mirrors or both to make distant objects appear nearer and larger. 2 = radio telescope.
v. 1 tr. press or drive (sections of a tube, colliding vehicles, etc.) together so that one slides into another like the sections of a folding telescope. 2 intr. close or be driven or be capable of closing in this way. 3 tr. compress so as to occupy less space or time.
[ It. telescopio or mod.L telescopium (as TELE-, -SCOPE) ]