object lens

7.0

The curved piece of glass in a microscope or telescope nearest the object that makes the first image

noun
/ˈɑbdʒɛkt lɛnz/

Specialized

: lente objetiva

The object lens focuses light onto the specimen.

Examples

She carefully adjusted the object lens to bring the cells into sharp focus.
The object lens magnifies the specimen so the viewer can see it in detail.
Dust on the object lens can greatly affect image quality in microscopy.
An object lens can magnify images significantly.
Dust on the object lens can greatly affect image quality in microscopy.
She carefully adjusted the object lens to bring the cells into sharp focus.
The object lens magnifies the specimen so the viewer can see it in detail.

Synonyms

objective

vsobject lens

Specialized

5 7.0

A lens on a microscope or telescope closest to the object

forms the primary image rather than only being nearest

objective lens

vsobject lens

Specialized

1 3.9

The lens nearest the object in a microscope or telescope that makes the main image

is the same in meaning but uses a different technical name

object glass

vsobject lens

Specialized

7.9

The lens in a microscope or telescope nearest the thing you look at

forms the primary image rather than just sitting nearest the object

Surface Forms

object lens singular

object lenses plural

Morphology

object + lens

The meaning 'the lens nearest to the object being viewed' is directly and predictably composed from 'object' (the thing being viewed) + 'lens' (an optical element that focuses light). This noun–noun technical compound follows regular compositional patterns and, despite being domain-specific, a B1 learner who knows both constituents can infer its meaning.

Etymology

Object lens comes from the simple idea of the lens that sits closest to the object you want to see; imagine a small glass right next to the specimen that makes the 'first image' you look at. So, the name explains why the object lens is the lens that forms the main picture of the object.