microscopic, a.
(maɪkrəʊˈskɒpɪk)
[ad. mod.L. mīcroscopic-us, f. mīcroscopium: see microscope and -ic. Cf. F. microscopique, It. microscopico, Sp. microscópico.]
1. = microscopical a. 1. Now rare exc. fig.
| 1857 G. Bird's Urin. Deposits (ed. 5) 199 The microscopic examination of a sediment composed of cystine. 1863 Ray Lankester in Q. Jrnl. Microsc. Sci. III. 83 Nor are they generally known to microscopic observers in this country. 1877 W. Thomson Voy. Challenger I. i. 15 The substances in common use in mounting microscopic preparations. |
| fig. 1779–81 Johnson L. P., Rowe Wks. III. 38 Few characters can bear the microscopick scrutiny of wit quickened by anger. 1850 Robertson Serm. Ser. iii. viii. 111 It is not a microscopic self-examination. 1877 Stubbs Lect. Med. & Mod. Hist. v. (1886) 103 The tree..bears to the microscopic investigator marks of every winter that has passed over it. 1904 Sat. Rev. 29 Oct. 551 The microscopic inquiry of the Dictionary of National Biography. |
2. Possessing or exercising the functions of a microscope.
| 1732 Pope Ess. Man i. 193 Why has not Man a microscopic eye? For this plain reason, Man is not a Fly. 1744 Thomson Summer 288 Gradual, from These what numerous Kinds descend, Evading even the microscopic Eye! a 1761 Cawthorn Antiquarians 80 To ev'ry corner of the brass They clapp'd a microscopic glass. 1876 Lowell Among my Bks. Ser. ii. 278 Gulliver's microscopic eye. |
| fig. a 1680 Butler Rem. (1759) I. 10 His Excellence In..magnifying all he writ With curious microscopick Wit. 1863 Kinglake Crimea (1877) II. vii. 65 His intellect being subtle and microscopic. 1903 Morley Gladstone I. 4 The microscopic subtlety of a thirteenth century schoolman. |
3. Of such minute size or proportions as to be invisible or indeterminate without the use of a microscope.
| 176. Wesley Serm. lxxiv. i. §11 Wks. (1811) IX. 314 Are Microscopic Animals, so called, real Animals or not? 1770 Horsley in Phil. Trans. LX. 431 The eyes of the smallest microscopic animals. 1802 Bournon ibid. XCII. 300 We may..by means of a lens, perceive small microscopic crystals of thallite. 1819 J. G. Children Chem. Anal. 271 From the mountainous elephant to the microscopic insect. 1899 Allbutt's Syst. Med. VI. 891 Some of which vessels..presented evidences of microscopic gummata. |
| fig. 1849 Stovel Canne's Necess. Introd. 78 Every..care was taken to find..terms the most microscopic to express the littleness of those ‘mere ceremonies’. 1887 G. H. Darwin in Fortn. Rev. Feb. 273 They are microscopic..earthquakes. 1887 Ruskin Præterita II. 24 Turner's microscopic touch. |