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Spyglass: meaning, definitions and examples

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spyglass

[ ˈspaɪˌɡlæs ]

Noun

^{Context #1 | Noun}

on a ship

A small telescope used for viewing distant objects, especially on a ship. It typically has a magnifying lens at one end and an eyepiece at the other.

Synonyms

binoculars, monocular, telescope.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
spyglass	A small handheld telescope often used historically by naval officers and pirates for seeing distant objects at sea. It evokes a vintage or nautical theme. Captain Smith took out his spyglass to get a better view of the approaching ship. The antique shop had a beautifully crafted spyglass from the 18th century.
telescope	An optical instrument designed for observing distant celestial objects such as stars, planets, and galaxies. Often used in astronomy and comes in larger and more powerful models compared to a spyglass. The astronomer adjusted his telescope to view the rings of Saturn. They set up a telescope on the hill to stargaze.
binoculars	An optical instrument with two telescopic lenses for both eyes, commonly used for bird watching, sports events, or any activity requiring a closer view of distant objects. She brought her binoculars to the game to see the players up close. He used binoculars to watch the birds in the forest.
monocular	A single-lens optical device similar to binoculars but intended for use with one eye. Suitable for people who need a compact and lightweight option, often used in hiking or quick sightseeing. The hiker preferred using a monocular for its convenience and lighter weight. He peered through the monocular to see the distant mountain range.

Examples of usage

The captain used his spyglass to scan the horizon for any signs of land.
She peered through the spyglass and spotted a school of dolphins playing in the distance.

^{Context #2 | Noun}

historical

An early form of telescope consisting of a single convex lens used for viewing distant objects.

Synonyms

monocular, optical tube, telescope.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
spyglass	Used primarily in historical or maritime settings to describe a handheld device with lenses for magnification. The captain pulled out his spyglass to observe the distant ship Pirates often used a spyglass to spot potential targets
telescope	Commonly used in both casual and scientific settings to describe an instrument that magnifies distant objects, mainly for star gazing and astronomical studies. She received a telescope as a gift to observe the moon and planets Telescopes are essential tools for astronomers
monocular	Refers to a compact, portable, single-lens optical device, often used for outdoor activities like birdwatching and hiking. He carried a monocular on his nature hikes to better observe wildlife Using a monocular, she could clearly see the details of the mountains in the distance
optical tube	A more technical term used in astronomy and optics to describe the main component of a telescope that houses the lenses or mirrors. The optical tube of the telescope was aligned to capture the best view of the stars Astronomers often discuss the specifications of different optical tubes

Examples of usage

The pirate captain looked through his spyglass to see if any enemy ships were approaching.
The spyglass allowed sailors to spot land or other ships from a distance.

Translations

Translations of the word "spyglass" in other languages:

🇵🇹 lente de aumento

🇮🇳 दूरबीन

🇩🇪 Lupe

🇮🇩 kaca pembesar

🇺🇦 лупа

🇵🇱 lupa

🇯🇵 拡大鏡 (かくだいきょう)

🇫🇷 loupe

🇪🇸 lupa

🇹🇷 büyüteç

🇰🇷 돋보기

🇸🇦 عدسة مكبرة

🇨🇿 lupa

🇸🇰 lupa

🇨🇳 放大镜 (fàngdàjìng)

🇸🇮 povečevalno steklo

🇮🇸 stækkunargler

🇰🇿 үлкейткіш әйнек

🇬🇪 გამადიდებელი მინა

🇦🇿 böyüdücü şüşə

🇲🇽 lupa

Etymology

The word 'spyglass' originated in the 17th century and is a combination of 'spy' (to watch secretly) and 'glass' (referring to a lens). It was commonly used by sailors and pirates for spotting distant objects at sea. Over time, the design of the spyglass evolved into the modern telescope. The spyglass played a crucial role in navigation and exploration during the Age of Sail.