Hypertext Webster Gateway: "scope"
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) (web1913)
-scope \-scope\ [Gr. skopo`s a watcher, spy. See {Scope}.]
A combining form usually signifying an instrument for viewing
(with the eye) or observing (in any way); as in microscope,
telescope, altoscope, anemoscope.
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) (web1913)
Scope \Scope\, n. [It. scopo, L. scopos a mark, aim, Gr.
skopo`s, a watcher, mark, aim; akin to ?, ? to view, and
perh. to E. spy. Cf. {Skeptic}, {Bishop}.]
1. That at which one aims; the thing or end to which the mind
directs its view; that which is purposed to be reached or
accomplished; hence, ultimate design, aim, or purpose;
intention; drift; object. ``Shooting wide, do miss the
marked scope.'' --Spenser.
Your scope is as mine own, So to enforce or qualify
the laws As to your soul seems good. --Shak.
The scope of all their pleading against man's
authority, is to overthrow such laws and
constitutions in the church. --Hooker.
2. Room or opportunity for free outlook or aim; space for
action; amplitude of opportunity; free course or vent;
liberty; range of view, intent, or action.
Give him line and scope. --Shak.
In the fate and fortunes of the human race, scope is
given to the operation of laws which man must always
fail to discern the reasons of. --I. Taylor.
Excuse me if I have given too much scope to the
reflections which have arisen in my mind. --Burke.
An intellectual cultivation of no moderate depth or
scope. --Hawthorne.
3. Extended area. [Obs.] ``The scopes of land granted to the
first adventurers.'' --Sir J. Davies.
4. Length; extent; sweep; as, scope of cable.
From WordNet (r) 1.7 (wn)
scope
n 1: an area in which something acts or operates or has power or
control: "the range of a supersonic jet"; "the ambit of
municipal legislation"; "within the compass of this
article"; within the scope of an investigation";
"outside the reach of the law"; "in the political orbit
of a world power" [syn: {range}, {reach}, {orbit}, {compass},
{ambit}]
2: the state of the environment in which a situation exists;
"you can't do that in a university setting" [syn: {setting},
{background}]
3: a magnifier of images of distant objects [syn: {telescope}]
4: electronic equipment that provides visual images of varying
electrical quantities [syn: {oscilloscope}, {cathode-ray
oscilloscope}, {CRO}]
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