field-glass

C2+ Topic:Word Formation & Derivatives

Also spelled fieldglass

US /ˈfiːldˌɡlæs/ UK /ˈfiːldˌɡlɑːs/ See IPA manual

Meanings

1

noun
a small portable telescope, often held in one hand, for viewing distant objects outdoors

The officer raised his field-glass to inspect the riders on the ridge.
2

noun
usually in the plural, a pair of binoculars intended for outdoor observation

Through the field-glasses, she could distinguish the seabirds nesting on the cliff.

Thesaurus

Synonyms

1 noun · a small portable telescope,... monocularspyglass telescope

2 noun · usually in the plural, a... binocularsfield glasses

Word family

Derived forms field-glasses

Related forms binoculars telescopeopera glasseslens optics

Etymology

Formed in English from field + glass, with glass in its optical sense. Attested by the late eighteenth century for portable magnifying apparatus used outdoors or in military fieldwork; it later referred especially to compact binocular instruments. The forms field glass and field-glass have both been used.

Topics

Word Formation & Derivatives General Vocabulary

External links

# field-glass

**Type:** Word
**Level:** C2+
**Part of speech:** noun
**IPA (US):** /ˈfiːldˌɡlæs/
**IPA (UK):** /ˈfiːldˌɡlɑːs/

## Meanings
1. a small portable telescope, often held in one hand, for viewing distant objects outdoors
2. usually in the plural, a pair of binoculars intended for outdoor observation

## Examples
- The officer raised his field-glass to inspect the riders on the ridge.
- Through the field-glasses, she could distinguish the seabirds nesting on the cliff.

## Synonyms
- binoculars
- monocular
- spyglass
- telescope

## Derived Forms
- field-glasses

## Related Forms
- binoculars
- telescope
- opera glasses
- lens
- optics

## Etymology
Formed in English from field + glass, with glass in its optical sense. Attested by the late eighteenth century for portable magnifying apparatus used outdoors or in military fieldwork; it later referred especially to compact binocular instruments. The forms field glass and field-glass have both been used.

## Topics
- Word Formation & Derivatives
- General Vocabulary

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