scope
Plural
scopes
1
a device with lenses or mirrors used to magnify and clearly view distant objects
- The sniper adjusted his scope before taking the shot.
- Birdwatchers often carry a scope to observe rare species in the forest.
- Astronomers attach a high-quality scope to their telescope for sharper images.
- Hunters rely on a rifle scope to improve accuracy when aiming at game.
- Marine biologists used an underwater scope to study coral reefs.
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2
the area or extent within which something operates, has influence, or exercises control
- The project's scope expanded to include environmental research.
- His authority has limited scope within the department.
- The new law broadens the scope of consumer protection.
- The committee debated the proper scope of government intervention.
- Within the scope of her duties, she could approve minor expenses.
3
a device that provides visual representations of electrical signals or varying electrical quantities, allowing analysis and measurement
- The scope's screen showed the real-time behavior of the current.
- Voltage fluctuations were clearly visible on the scope.
- The student connected the signal generator to the scope for the lab experiment.
- Modern scopes can display multiple waveforms simultaneously.
- Troubleshooting the amplifier was easier with a digital scope.
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4
the conditions that form the background in which an action, event, or situation takes place
- The scope of the discussion was limited to local issues.
- Within the scope of this project, we cannot test every variable.
- The research stayed within the defined scope.
- Political scope influenced the decision-making process.
- His role must be understood in the scope of the crisis.
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5
the range of meaning or influence that a word, phrase, or grammatical element covers in a sentence or discourse
In linguistics, scope refers to the range or extent that a word, phrase, or operator, such as a negation or quantifier, affects within a sentence. For example, in the sentence "All students did not pass the exam," the scope of "not" can change the meaning. It could mean that none of the students passed, or that not all students passed. Understanding scope is important for clarifying the intended meaning of a sentence, as different interpretations can arise depending on how far the influence of a word or phrase extends.
- The negative particle has scope over the whole clause.
- In this sentence, "only" has a narrow scope.
- Linguists debated the scope of the quantifier.
- The scope of the adjective is limited to the noun phrase.
- Word order can affect the scope of negation.
6
the opportunity or capacity to do or achieve something
- The new project gives us greater scope to explore different creative solutions.
- His job offers little scope for personal growth, so he's considering a career change.
- The additional funding will provide more scope for research and development.
- There's plenty of scope for improvement in the current system.
- The relaxed regulations offer scope for businesses to innovate and adapt.
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