First Known Use: 1648
Dictionary
1telescope
noun, tele·scope often attributive \ˈte-lə-ˌskōp\
: a device shaped like a long tube that you look through in order to see things that are far away
Full Definition of TELESCOPE
1
2
: any of various tubular magnifying optical instruments
3
See telescope defined for English-language learners
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Origin of TELESCOPE
New Latin telescopium, from Greek tēleskopos farseeing, from tēle- tele- + skopos watcher; akin to Greek skopein to look — more at spy
Other Astronomy Terms
Rhymes with TELESCOPE
antelope, antipope, arthroscope, biotope, bronchoscope, bunny slope, calliope, cryoscope, endoscope, envelope, episcope, epitope, fluoroscope, forlorn hope, gastroscope, gyroscope, horoscope, interlope, isotope, kinescope, microscope, misanthrope, periscope, phalarope, radarscope, slippery slope, sniperscope, spectroscope
2telescope
verb
: to become shorter by having one section slide inside another somewhat larger section
: to make (something) shorter in length or time
telescopedtelescop·ing
Full Definition of TELESCOPE
intransitive verb
1
: to become forced together lengthwise with one part entering another as the result of collision
2
: to slide or pass one within another like the cylindrical sections of a collapsible hand telescope
3
: to become compressed or condensed
transitive verb
1
: to cause to telescope
See telescope defined for English-language learners
First Known Use of TELESCOPE
1867
Related to TELESCOPE
- Synonyms
- capsule, capsulize, collapse, compact, condense, constrict, constringe, contract, narrow (down), squeeze, compress
- Antonyms
- decompress, expand, open, outspread, outstretch
TELESCOPE Defined for Kids
1telescope
noun tele·scope \ˈte-lə-ˌskōp\
Definition of TELESCOPE for Kids
: a piece of equipment shaped like a long tube that has lenses for viewing objects at a distance and especially for observing objects in outer space
2telescope
verb
tele·scopedtele·scop·ing
Definition of TELESCOPE for Kids
: to slide or force one part into another
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