telescope
0 antonyms and opposites of telescope, grouped by meaning.
Noun — An optical instrument that makes distant objects look closer and larger, especially used to view the night sky.
How to use telescope
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
Etymology
From tele- ("far") and -scope ("to look at"), via Latin tēlescopium and Greek τηλεσκόπος. The word was coined in 1611 for one of Galileo's instruments.
Full origin of telescope →Frequently asked questions
What does “telescope” mean?
The word “telescope” means an optical instrument that makes distant objects look closer and larger, especially used to view the night sky. In plain terms, the instrument for viewing distant things (especially stars), or — as a verb — to collapse in sliding, overlapping sections like its tube does.
How do you pronounce “telescope”?
“Telescope” is pronounced TEHL-ih-skohp (/ˈtɛl.əˌskoʊp/ in IPA).
How do you use “telescope” in a sentence?
Here is “telescope” used in a sentence: “He set up his telescope in the garden to look at Saturn's rings.”
What part of speech is “telescope”?
Depending on how it is used, “telescope” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “telescope” come from?
The word “telescope” dates back to around 1611 and comes from Latin. From tele- ("far") and -scope ("to look at"), via Latin tēlescopium and Greek τηλεσκόπος. The word was coined in 1611 for one of Galileo's instruments.
Is “telescope” a common word?
“Telescope” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.
How many meanings does “telescope” have?
“Telescope” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: an optical instrument that makes distant objects look closer and larger, especially used to view the night sky.
What is the difference between a telescope and binoculars?
A telescope is a single optical tube designed mainly for viewing distant objects such as stars and planets, often mounted on a stand for stability, while binoculars use two lenses side by side for handheld, two-eyed viewing at closer range. Telescopes generally offer much higher magnification and are better suited to astronomy, whereas binoculars are more portable and versatile for everyday use.
What does it mean when plans "telescope" into a shorter timeframe?
When something telescopes, it collapses or compresses the way the sliding sections of a telescope tube do, so events, schedules, or stages get squeezed into a shorter period. For example, saying a project's timeline telescoped means several planned phases ended up happening much closer together than originally intended.
Can "telescope" be used as a verb outside of astronomy?
Yes, telescope is commonly used as a verb to describe anything sliding or collapsing into itself, such as a car's front end telescoping in a crash or a multi-step process telescoping into one quick step. This figurative use comes directly from the way a telescope's tube sections retract into each other.