spyglass

/'spaiglɑ:s/

Thân thiện

A sailor uses a spyglass to scan the distant horizon.

Definition

Noun: A small, portable refracting telescope, typically used with one hand to magnify distant objects for terrestrial observation.

Examples

• The sailor used his spyglass to spot land on the horizon.
• She brought a spyglass to the birdwatching event for a closer look at the eagles.
• In historical films, a captain often peers through a brass spyglass.

Advanced Usage

• "To train one's spyglass on something": To point a spyglass at a specific object or area to observe it closely.
  • The naturalist trained his spyglass on the rare bird's nest.

Variants and Related Words

• Telescope (n): A general term for an optical instrument designed to make distant objects appear nearer. A spyglass is a specific, simple type of telescope.
• Monocular (n): A compact, low-magnification optical device for viewing with one eye, similar to a modern spyglass.
• Hand telescope (n): Another term for a small telescope held in the hand, synonymous with spyglass.

Synonyms

• Handheld telescope
• Terrestrial telescope (when used for viewing objects on Earth, as opposed to celestial bodies)

Related Idioms

• "Through the spyglass of history/time": A metaphorical phrase meaning to view or consider something from a historical perspective.
  • When viewed through the spyglass of history, the event takes on a different significance.

Học thuật

Noun

1. a small refracting telescope

Từ đồng nghĩa

• field glass
• glass