microprobe

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noun

An instrument used to determine the chemical composition at a point on a solid surface, such as that of a mineral. It analyzes the X-rays emitted when a beam of electrons are focused on the sample.

OriginEnglish probe ← Ancient Greek μῑκρο- (mīkro-) ← Proto-Indo-European *mey-der.? →
UncommonScrabble 18
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Meanings

nounmicroprobe (plural microprobes)

plural microprobes

  1. chemistryAn instrument used to determine the chemical composition at a point on a solid surface, such as that of a mineral. It analyzes the X-rays emitted when a beam of electrons are focused on the sample.

Origin

  1. Proto-Indo-European*mey-der.?
  2. Ancient Greekμῑκρός (mīkrós)
  3. Ancient Greekμῑκρο- (mīkro-)
  4. Englishmicro-
  5. Englishprobe
  6. Englishmicroprobe

From micro- + probe.

Full word history & related roots →
Cite this entry
APA

microprobe. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 2, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/microprobe

MLA

“microprobe.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/microprobe. Accessed November 2, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “microprobe,” accessed November 2, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/microprobe.

Source: microprobe on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.