COLLIMATOR

collimator

(noun) optical device consisting of a tube containing a convex achromatic lens at one end and a slit at the other with the slit at the focus of the lens; light rays leave the slit as a parallel beam

collimator

(noun) a small telescope attached to a large telescope to use in setting the line of the larger one

Source: WordNet® 3.1


Etymology

Noun

collimator (plural collimators)

(physics) An optical device that generates a parallel beam of light. Often used to compensate for laser beam divergence.

(physics) A similar device that produces a parallel beam of particles such as neutrons.

(astronomy) A small telescope attached to a larger one, used to point it in the correct general direction.

Anagrams

• microatoll, mortal coil

Source: Wiktionary


Col"li*ma`tor, n.

1. (Astron.)

Definition: A telescope arranged and used to determine errors of collimation, both vertical and horizontal. Nichol.

2. (Optics)

Definition: A tube having a convex lens at one end and at the other a small opening or slit which is at the principal focus of the lens, used for producing a beam of parallel rays; also, a lens so used.

Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition



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Word of the Day

6 June 2025

PUNGENCY

(noun) wit having a sharp and caustic quality; “he commented with typical pungency”; “the bite of satire”


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Coffee Trivia

Coffee is a brewed drink prepared from roasted coffee beans, the seeds of berries from certain Coffea species. When coffee berries turn from green to bright red – indicating ripeness – they are picked, processed, and dried. Dried coffee seeds are roasted to varying degrees, depending on the desired flavor.

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