reticle

Borrowed from Late Latin rēticulum, diminutive of Latin rēte (“net”). Doublet of reticulum, Reticulum, and reticule.

• IPA^(key): /ˈɹɛtɪkəl/

• Audio (US):

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• Hyphenation: re‧ti‧cle

reticle (plural reticles)

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.

   Synonyms: graticule, reticule

2. 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)

3. (obsolete) Alternative form of reticule (“a little bag”).
   • 1833, Francis Vesey, A General Digested Table and Index of Cases Argued and Determined in the High Court of Chancery‎^[1], volume 20, page ix:

     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.

• Used in form “have somebody or something in one’s reticle”, meaning “to be targeting somebody or something”.

• clerite, tercile, tiercel