magnifying glass
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magnifying glass:
see microscopemicroscope,optical instrument used to increase the apparent size of an object. Simple Microscopes
A magnifying glass, an ordinary double convex lens having a short focal length, is a simple microscope. The reading lens and hand lens are instruments of this type.
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magnifying glass
[′mag·nə‚fī·iŋ ‚glas] (optics)
Any device that uses a simple lens which enlarges the object being viewed.
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of Scientific & Technical Terms, 6E, Copyright © 2003 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.
magnifying glass
traditional detective equipment; from its use by Sherlock Holmes. [Br. Lit.: Payton, 473]
See: Sleuthing
Allusions—Cultural, Literary, Biblical, and Historical: A Thematic Dictionary. Copyright 2008 The Gale Group, Inc. All rights reserved.
magnifying glass
, magnifier a convex lens used to produce an enlarged image of an object
Collins Discovery Encyclopedia, 1st edition © HarperCollins Publishers 2005