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microscopio

microscope

noun mee-kroh-SKOH-pyoh Rare

Origin: From Greek mikrós (small) + skopéō (I look).

Usage Note

Microscopio is a compound from micro- (small) and scopio (viewer). The plural microscopi is regular. The common phrase mettere sotto il microscopio (to put under the microscope) is used figuratively, exactly as in English — to examine something very closely. The related adjective is microscopico (microscopic).

Examples

"Lo scienziato osserva le cellule al microscopio."

Natural Translation

The scientist observes the cells under the microscope.

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