microscope
Meaning: An optical or electronic instrument that magnifies very small objects, enabling observation of structures invisible to the naked eye.
While the literal meaning is well known, microscope is widely used figuratively in journalism and political commentary to mean intense, sustained scrutiny — 'under the microscope' is a standard idiom. In scientific writing, the term differentiates between optical, electron, and scanning probe varieties. The phrase 'put something under the microscope' has become a staple of broadsheet headlines, particularly in investigative reporting and corporate governance stories.
Examples
- Electron microscope images revealed structural defects in the alloy that had gone undetected by conventional testing. 电子显微镜图像揭示了常规检测未能发现的合金结构缺陷。Las imágenes del microscopio electrónico revelaron defectos estructurales en la aleación que habían pasado desapercibidos en las pruebas convencionales.電子顕微鏡画像により、従来の検査では検出されなかった合金の構造欠陥が明らかになった。전자현미경 이미지를 통해 기존 검사에서는 발견되지 않았던 합금의 구조적 결함이 밝혀졌다.
- The government's spending plans have been placed under the microscope by the Office for Budget Responsibility. 政府的支出计划已被预算责任办公室置于显微镜下审查。Los planes de gasto del Gobierno han sido puestos bajo el microscopio por la Oficina de Responsabilidad Presupuestaria.政府の支出計画は予算責任局によって厳しく精査されている。정부의 지출 계획이 예산책임청의 면밀한 정밀 조사를 받고 있다.
- Advances in microscope technology have transformed our understanding of cellular biology over the past two decades. 过去二十年间,显微镜技术的进步彻底改变了我们对细胞生物学的认识。Los avances en la tecnología del microscopio han transformado nuestra comprensión de la biología celular en las dos últimas décadas.過去20年間における顕微鏡技術の進歩は、細胞生物学の理解を根本的に変えた。지난 20년간 현미경 기술의 발전은 세포생물학에 대한 이해를 근본적으로 변화시켰다.
Pronunciation
Usage Guide
Context: academic, scientific, journalism
Tone: neutral
Origin & History
From Greek mikros (small) + skopein (to look at). Coined in the early 17th century, shortly after the first compound microscopes were developed in the Netherlands.
Cultural Context
Era: Modern
Generation: All ages
Social background: Universal
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