stroboscope
stroboscope Lexical Profile
stroboscope Game Scores & Validity
• noun
A scientific instrument that emits rapid, brief flashes of light, used to make a cyclically moving object appear stationary or to measure its rotational speed.
"The engineer used a stroboscope to observe the rapidly spinning engine fan, making it appear perfectly still so she could inspect the blades for microfractures."
An early optical device or toy that produced the illusion of motion by displaying a sequence of drawings through revolving viewing slits.
"The museum's history of animation exhibit featured a 19th-century stroboscope that entertained audiences with the illusion of a galloping horse."
• Rhymes for stroboscope
• Nearby Words
Word Origin & Etymology
Coined in 1832 by Simon von Stampfer from the Ancient Greek 'strobos' (whirling) and 'skopein' (to look at), originally referring to a disc-based optical device that created the illusion of motion.
Usage Trend
Historical frequency of usage in published text.