microscopic — English Dictionary

Adjective

1. Of, or relating to microscopes or microscopy; microscopal

   Examples

   We supply all microscopic stains and other materials.

2. So small that it can only be seen with the aid of a microscope.

   Examples

   The water was full of microscopic organisms.

   More examples (1)

   Yiannas said there has been widespread public confusion about cyclosporiasis, an intestinal illness caused by the microscopic parasite Cyclospora cayetanensis, also known as cyclospora, that can cause explosive diarrhea.

3. Very small; minute

   Examples

   Compared to the galaxy, we are microscopic in scale.

   More examples (2)

   By wholesale omission of connections and by the use of a microscopic scale of photographic reproduction which makes some of the most important tables difficult to read, the size has been cut down from last winter's 580 to 520 pages only.

   ... the notion of the microscopic was often used in the foundations of quantum theory right from the start, to indicate the realm in which quantum theory is required in order to explain phenomena when classical theory cannot do so; quantum theory was generally considered in those years to apply only to situations involving atoms and smaller “microscopic” entities...

4. Carried out with great attention to detail.

   Usage

   • Figurative

   Examples

   The police carried out a microscopic search of the crime scene.

5. Able to see extremely minute objects.

   Examples

   Why has not man a microscopic eye?

Adjective

1. of or relating to or used in microscopy

   Synonyms

   microscopical

   Examples

   microscopic analysis

   microscopical examination

2. visible under a microscope; using a microscope

   Synonyms

   microscopical

3. extremely precise with great attention to details

   Examples

   examined it with microscopic care

4. so small as to be invisible without a microscope

   Synonyms

   microscopical

   Examples

   differences were microscopic