Definition

1. Noun:
   • An optical instrument for magnifying small objects: A compound microscope is a type of light microscope that uses two or more lens systems to achieve high magnification. The primary lens system (the objective) collects light from the specimen to create a magnified real image, which is then further magnified by a second lens system (the eyepiece or ocular) for viewing by the observer.

Examples of Usage

• Noun:
  • In biology class, we used a compound microscope to observe the structure of plant cells.
  • The discovery of bacteria was made possible by the invention of the compound microscope.

Advanced Usage

• "to view under a compound microscope": to observe a specimen using this specific instrument.
  • The technician prepared a thin section of the mineral to view under a compound microscope.

Variants and Related Words

• Microscope (n): The general term for any instrument used to see objects too small for the naked eye. A compound microscope is a specific subtype.
• Objective lens (n): The primary lens of a compound microscope, located closest to the specimen.
• Eyepiece (n): The lens assembly at the top of a compound microscope through which the viewer looks.

Synonyms

• Light microscope: A broader category of microscopes that use visible light, which includes the compound microscope.
• Optical microscope: Another general term synonymous with light microscope.

Related Phrases

• Compound microscope slide: A thin, flat piece of glass used to hold the specimen for observation.
  • Place the sample on a compound microscope slide and add a cover slip.

Related Idioms

(This specific technical term is not commonly used in idiomatic expressions.)

Noun

1. light microscope that has two converging lens systems: the objective and the eyepiece