Reticle
//ˈɹɛtɪkəl// noun
noun ·Uncommon ·Advanced level
Definitions
Noun
- 1 A transparent plate marked with a crosshair, grid, or scale which is used in an optical instrument, etc., to aid in alignment, counting, or measurement of objects being observed; also, the crosshair, grid, or scale on such a plate.
- 2 a network of fine lines, dots, cross hairs, or wires in the focal plane of the eyepiece of an optical instrument wordnet
- 3 A master or template, comprising a pattern of lines and shapes, used in photolithography to create the tiny integrated circuits on a microchip.
"Near-synonym: photomask (broadly synonymous in context)"
- 4 Alternative form of reticule (“a little bag”). alt-of, alternative, obsolete
"On the following day Mrs. Kent went into the bed-room; and laid a reticle, which contained the money, upon her bed; and afterwards returned into the sitting-room; leaving the door between that and the bed-room open. After she had remained in the sitting-room about five minutes, she sent Miss S. for the reticle; and it was not to be found."
Example
More examples"Near-synonym: photomask (broadly synonymous in context)"
Etymology
Borrowed from Late Latin rēticulum, diminutive of Latin rēte (“net”). Doublet of reticulum, Reticulum, and reticule.
More for "reticle"
Data sourced from Wiktionary, WordNet, CMU, and other open linguistic databases. Updated March 2026.