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.
Etymology: It. telescopio or mod.L telescopium (as TELE-, -SCOPE)