telescopic

This term describes a specific type of mechanical design where components slide into one another, allowing for a change in length without increasing the overall bulk of the object when retracted. It is commonly used in technical contexts for equipment like antennas, tripods, or landing gear.

In a figurative or conceptual sense, the word describes a compression of scale. When applied to time or history, it suggests a perspective that collapses vast intervals into a manageable or singular view, effectively bringing distant events into immediate focus.