MICROSCOPIC

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

IPA (US):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does microscopic mean? 

• MICROSCOPIC (adjective)
  The adjective MICROSCOPIC has 4 senses:

1. of or relating to or used in microscopy

2. visible under a microscope; using a microscope

3. extremely precise with great attention to details

4. so small as to be invisible without a microscope

  Familiarity information: MICROSCOPIC used as an adjective is uncommon.

 Dictionary entry details 

• MICROSCOPIC (adjective)

Sense 1

Meaning:

Of or relating to or used in microscopy

Classified under:

Relational adjectives (pertainyms)

Synonyms:

microscopic; microscopical

Context example:

microscopical examination

Pertainym:

microscopy (research with the use of microscopes)

Derivation:

microscope (magnifier of the image of small objects)

microscopy (research with the use of microscopes)

Sense 2

Meaning:

Visible under a microscope; using a microscope

Synonyms:

microscopic; microscopical

Similar:

seeable; visible (capable of being seen; or open to easy view)

Sense 3

Meaning:

Extremely precise with great attention to details

Context example:

examined it with microscopic care

Similar:

precise (sharply exact or accurate or delimited)

Sense 4

Meaning:

So small as to be invisible without a microscope

Synonyms:

microscopic; microscopical

Context example:

differences were microscopic

Similar:

little; small (limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent)

 Context examples 

Removal of tissue from the prostate for microscopic examination.

(Biopsy of Prostate, NCI Thesaurus)

Removal of tissue from the pharyngeal tonsil for microscopic examination.

(Biopsy of Pharyngeal Tonsil, NCI Thesaurus)

The removal of tissue specimens or fluid from the living body for microscopic examination, performed to establish a diagnosis.

(Biopsy, NCI Thesaurus)

Removal of tissue from the peritoneum for microscopic examination.

(Biopsy of Peritoneum, NCI Thesaurus)

Removal of tissue from the pylorus for microscopic examination, using an endoscope.

(Biopsy of Pylorus, NCI Thesaurus)

Removal of tissue from the salivary gland for microscopic examination.

(Biopsy of Salivary Gland, NCI Thesaurus)

Fine particles in the air are made of microscopic solids and liquid droplets that are so small that they can be inhaled and cause serious health problems.

(Combatting epigenetic effects from outdoor air pollution, NIH)

Also registered, through microscopic photography, was the formation of Zika viral particles in the insect's gland.

(Brazil scientists find out Culex mosquito can transmit Zika, Agência Brasil)

Studying the microscopic roundworm C. elegans led the researchers to find that defects in one protein cause animals to reorient themselves over and over again.

(Research on repetitive worm behavior has implications for understanding human diseases, National Science Foundation)

With solids, cooling is achieved by changing the material’s microscopic structure.

(Green material for refrigeration identified, University of Cambridge)