microlens1
/ˈmʌɪkrə(ʊ)lɛnz/noun
1A very small (photographic, contact, etc.) lens.
2 Astronomy. A single discrete astronomical object (such as a star or planet) that acts as a gravitational lens.
Origin
1960s; earliest use found in Stewart Duke-Elder (1898–1978), ophthalmic surgeon. From micro- + lens.
microlens2
/ˈmʌɪkrə(ʊ)lɛnz/Astronomy
verb
[with object] Of a single star, planet, etc.: to refract (electromagnetic radiation from an astronomical object, or the image of that object) by microlensing. Also without object. Frequently in pass. Compare macrolensing.
Origin
1980s. From microlens.
- watch someone like a hawk
- watch spring
- watch the clock
- watch the pennies
- watch the time
- watch the world go by
- watch this space
- watchtower
- watchword
- water
- water adder
- water agrimony
- water aloe
- water antelope
- water apple
- water archer
- water arum
- water ash
- water-ask
- water-attracting
- water authority
- water baby
- water bag
- water-bailage
- water bailie