▪ I. microtome, n.
(ˈmaɪkrətəʊm)
[f. Gr. µῑκρό-ς small + -τόµος that cuts, f. τοµ-, τεµ-, root of τέµνειν to cut.]
An instrument for cutting extremely thin sections for microscopic work.
| 1856 Carpenter Microsc. & Rev. 211 The ‘microtome’ of M. Strauss-Durckheim. 1864 in Webster. 1875 H. G. Bird in Q. Jrnl. Microsc. Sci. XV. 24 If placed dry in a rigid tube, as that of the microtome..the addition of..water will..cause the pith-cells to expand. |
Hence microˈtomic, microˈtomical adjs., relating to the use of the microtome. miˈcrotomist, one expert in the use of the microtome. miˈcrotomy, the scientific use of the microtome.
| 1885 Lee (title) The Microtomist's Vade-Mecum. 1887 Amer. Naturalist XXI. 1130 The development of microtomical technique has made it a comparatively easy matter. |
▪ II. ˈmicrotome, v.
[f. the n.]
trans. To cut in sections with a microtome. So ˈmicrotomed ppl. a.
| 1893 Brit. Med. Jrnl. 23 Sept. 685/2 The divided roots were microtomed and examined in serial sections. 1898 Phil. Trans. R. Soc. B. CXC. 95 The following nerves of muscles were microtomed for detection of some fibres. 1972 Physics Bull. Nov. 668/1 Evidence for twisting fibrils has also been obtained from transmission electron micrographs of microtomed specimens. |