a. Pertaining to microscopy, or to the use of the microscope. Huxley. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ Micro- + -scope. ] An optical instrument, consisting of a lens, or combination of lenses, for making an enlarged image of an object which is too minute to be viewed by the naked eye. [ 1913 Webster ]

Compound microscope, an instrument consisting of a combination of lenses such that the image formed by the lens or set of lenses nearest the object (called the objective) is magnified by another lens called the ocular or eyepiece. --
Oxyhydrogen microscope, and
Solar microscope. See under Oxyhydrogen, and Solar. --
Simple microscope, or
Single microscope, a single convex lens used to magnify objects placed in its focus. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. Microscopic. [ R. ] Berkeley. [ 1913 Webster ]

{ } a. [ Cf. F. microscopique. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

1. Of or pertaining to the microscope or to microscopy; made with a microscope; as, microscopic observation. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. Able to see extremely minute objects. [ 1913 Webster ]

Why has not man a microscopic eye? Pope. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. Very small. Specifically, visible only by the aid of a microscope; as, a microscopic insect; also used figuratively; as, a microscopic advantage. [ 1913 Webster +PJC ]

adv. By the microscope; with minute inspection; in a microscopic manner. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. One skilled in, or given to, microscopy. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. The use of the microscope; investigation with the microscope. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ Micro- + Gr. &unr_; an earthquake, fr. &unr_; to shake. ] A feeble earth tremor not directly perceptible, but detected only by means of specially constructed apparatus. -- Mi`cro*seis"mic Mi`cro*seis"mic*al a. [ Webster 1913 Suppl. ]

n. [ Microseiem + -graph. ] A microseismometer; specif., a microseismometer producing a graphic record. [ Webster 1913 Suppl. ]

n. [ Microseiem + -logy. ] Science or study of microseisms. [ Webster 1913 Suppl. ]

n. [ Microseism + -meter. ] A seismometer for measuring amplitudes or periods, or both, of microseisms. -- Mi`cro*seis*mom"e*try n. [Webster 1913 Suppl.]

a. [ Micro- + Gr. &unr_; sign, mark: cf. F. microsème. ] (Anat.) Having the orbital index relatively small; having the orbits broad transversely; -- opposed to megaseme. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. (Cell biology) a tiny granule in the cytoplasm of a cell; it consists of ribosomes bound to fragments of the endoplasmic reticulum and mitochondria. [ WordNet 1.5 +PJC ]

prop. n. A genus of tropical usually epiphytic ferns, found from Africa to Asia, and from Polynesia to Australia.
Syn. -- genus Microsorium. [ WordNet 1.5 ]

n. [ Micro- + spectroscope. ] (Physics) A spectroscope arranged for attachment to a microscope, for observation of the spectrum of light from minute portions of any substance. [ 1913 Webster ]

‖n. [ NL. See Micro-, and Sporangium. ] (Bot.) A sporangium or conceptacle containing only very minute spores. Cf. Macrosporangium. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ Micro- + spore. ] (Bot.) One of the exceedingly minute spores found in certain flowerless plants, as Selaginella and Isoetes, which bear two kinds of spores, one very much smaller than the other. Cf. Macrospore. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. (Bot.) Of or pertaining to microspores. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ Micro- + Gr. sqe`nos might, strength. ] (Zool.) One of a group of mammals having a small size as a typical characteristic. It includes the lower orders, as the Insectivora, Cheiroptera, Rodentia, and Edentata. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. (Zool.) Having a typically small size; of or pertaining to the microsthenes. [ 1913 Webster ]