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Glite Dictionary
prism spectroscope

prism spectroscope

8.8
An instrument that uses a prism to split light into separate colors for study
  • noun
  • /ˈprɪzəm ˈspɛktrəˌskoʊp/
  • Specialized
translation icon : espectroscopio de prisma
  • The scientist used a prism spectroscope to analyze the chemical composition of the sample.

Examples

  • Early astronomers relied on the prism spectroscope to study the spectra of stars.

  • By passing sunlight through a prism spectroscope, they observed the characteristic bands of different elements.

  • Look at the prism spectroscope!

  • The prism spectroscope revealed the colors of the light.

  • By passing sunlight through a prism spectroscope, they observed the characteristic bands of different elements.

  • Early astronomers relied on the prism spectroscope to study the spectra of stars.

  • The scientist used a prism spectroscope to analyze the chemical composition of the sample.

Synonyms

spectrometer
vsprism spectroscope
  • Specialized
13 7.2

A machine that measures light or separates charged particles to identify substances

focuses on separating light for spectrographic analysis rather than measurement
spectrograph
vsprism spectroscope
  • Specialized
4 8.9

A machine that records the different colours of light from something for scientific study

separates wavelengths for analysis instead of mainly recording images
spectroscope
vsprism spectroscope
  • Specialized
1 8.4

A tool that splits light into colours for study

uses a refracting glass element to split wavelengths for spectrographic analysis
spectrophotometer
vsprism spectroscope
  • Specialized
1 9.9

A machine that measures how much light of different colors a substance absorbs to help know what it is

separates wavelengths for spectrographic study rather than comparing intensities
spectroradiometer
vsprism spectroscope
  • Specialized
9.9

A device that measures how much light there is at each color

uses refracting separation for spectrographic analysis rather than measuring radiation levels

Surface Forms

prism spectroscope singular
prism spectroscopes plural

Morphology

prism + spectroscope

The meaning is directly compositional: a 'prism spectroscope' is a spectroscope that uses a prism to separate light, and both constituent nouns denote relevant optical elements. This follows a standard noun+noun naming pattern (device specified by its key component), so a learner who knows 'prism' and 'spectroscope' can readily infer the MWE's meaning.

Etymology

Prism spectroscope names an instrument that uses a prism to split 'light' and a spectroscope to show the parts. Imagine a glass triangle making a small rainbow from sunlight; by showing the separate 'colors', the tool lets scientists see which 'elements' are present, so it is used to find what a sample is made of.