tel|e|scope

tel|e|scope «TEHL uh skohp», noun, verb, -scoped, -scop|ing. adjective.

–n.

an instrument for making distant objects appear nearer and larger. It consists of an arrangement of lenses, and sometimes mirrors, in one or more tubes. In a refracting telescope the image is produced by a lens and magnified by the eyepiece. In a reflecting telescope the image is produced by a concave mirror or speculum and magnified. The stars are studied by means of both kinds of telescopes. »

After the invention of the telescope in 1609, observatories were established in many European cities (Helmut Abt).

–v.t.

1. to force together one inside another, like the sliding tubes of some telescopes: »

When the trains crashed into each other, the cars were telescoped.

2. Figurative. to bring together and shorten; condense: »

He telescoped the four-year course into three-years (New York Times).

–v.i.

1. to fit or be forced together, one part inside another, like the parts of some telescopes.

2. Figurative. to be telescoped; come or run together: »

The new theories telescope into the old ones in their common domain of application (New Yorker).

–adj.

= collapsible. (Cf. ↑collapsible)

╂[< New Latin telescopium < Greek tēleskópos far-seeing < têle far + skopeín to watch]