A magnifying glass (called a hand lens in laboratory contexts) is a convex lens that is used to produce a magnified image of an object. The lens is usually mounted in a frame with a handle (see image).
A sheet magnifier consists of many very narrow concentric ring-shaped lenses, such that the combination acts as a single lens but is much thinner. This arrangement is known as a Fresnel lens.
The magnifying glass is an icon of detective fiction, particularly that of Sherlock Holmes.
Read more about Magnifying Glass: History, Magnification, Alternatives
Famous quotes containing the words magnifying and/or glass:
“The best way to compel weak-minded people to adopt our opinion, is to frighten them from all others, by magnifying their danger.”
—Philip Dormer Stanhope, 4th Earl Chesterfield (1694–1773)
“... this I conceive to be no time to prate of moral influences. Our men’s nerves require their accustomed narcotics and a glass of whiskey is a powerful friend in a sunstroke, and these poor fellows fall senseless on their heavy drills.”
—Clara Barton (1821–1912)