The microscope’s name was assembled from Greek material: mikros, small, and the looking element behind -scope. English borrowed the scientific Latin microscopium in the seventeenth century. Ancient word parts gave a new technology a name.
Sources
- Merriam-Webster · microscope
Dictionary word history; the component and historical references below supply additional detail.
- Online Etymology Dictionary · microscope
Historical forms, meanings, and context for the route described here.
- Online Etymology Dictionary · micro-
Historical forms, meanings, and context for the route described here.
- Online Etymology Dictionary · -scope
Historical forms, meanings, and context for the route described here.
- Merriam-Webster · micro-
Meaning of the component used in this puzzle.
- Merriam-Webster · -scope
Meaning of the component used in this puzzle.