Spectroscope (noun)

1. An instrument used to analyze light and determine the composition of a material by measuring the light it emits, absorbs, or reflects.
2. A device used to measure the properties of light and other forms of electromagnetic radiation.

Origin:

From latin speculum, mirror and greek skopein, to examine.

Examples:

1. The chemist used a spectroscope to identify the elements present in the unknown substance.
2. The astronomer peered through the spectroscope to study the light emitted by distant stars.
3. The spectroscope helped the physics researcher to analyze the light spectra from various sources.
4. The geologist relied on the spectroscope to identify the mineral composition of rocks and minerals.
5. The biologist used the spectroscope to observe the light absorbance patterns in photosynthetic pigments.