stroboscope
|stro-bo-scope|
🇺🇸
/ˈstroʊbəˌskoʊp/
🇬🇧
/ˈstrəʊbəˌskəʊp/
observe rapid/rotating motion
Etymology
'stroboscope' originates from Greek, specifically the words 'strobos' and 'skopein', where 'strobos' meant 'whirlpool' or 'turning' and 'skopein' meant 'to look'.
'stroboscope' was coined in modern scientific English as a compound of Greek roots ('strobos' + 'scope'/'skopein') in the late 19th century and entered English usage as the technical term 'stroboscope'.
Initially, it meant an instrument for observing rapid motion by means of flashes of light, and this core meaning has remained essentially the same in modern usage.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
an instrument that produces regular flashes of light to make rapidly moving or rotating objects appear stationary or to study their motion; used in photography, engineering, and medical examinations of vibrating tissues.
The technician adjusted the stroboscope to match the rotation speed of the motor.
Synonyms
Last updated: 2026/01/16 09:08