Science & TechnologyGreek → English
Microscope
An instrument for viewing objects too small for the naked eye.
The Greek roots
μικρός
mikrós
small
σκοπεῖν
skopeîn
to look at
Literally: “looker at small things”
The story of the word
A perfect Greek compound for seeing the small — the same skopeîn ('to look') appears in telescope and periscope.
The same roots elsewhere
Other languages reached for exactly the same Greek pieces.
In a sentence
Under the microscope the drop of water teemed with life.