Etymology
Advertisement

stroboscope (n.)

"instrument for studying motion by periodic light," 1896, from -scope + Greek strobos "a twisting, act of whirling," from PIE root *streb(h)- "to wind, turn." Earlier as the name of a similar device used as a "scientific toy" [OED]. Related: Stroboscopic (1846).

Entries linking to stroboscope

-scope 
word-forming element indicating "an instrument for seeing," from Late Latin -scopium, from Greek -skopion, from skopein "to look at, examine" (from PIE root *spek- "to observe").
*streb(h)- 
Proto-Indo-European root meaning "to wind, turn."

It forms all or part of: anastrophe; antistrophe; apostrophe (n.1); apostrophe (n.2); boustrophedon; catastrophe; epistrophe; strabismus; strap; strep; strepto-; streptococcus; streptomycin; strobe; strobic; stroboscope; strop; strophe; strophic.

It is the hypothetical source of/evidence for its existence is provided by: Greek strophe "stanza," originally "a turning," strephein "to turn," strophaligs "whirl, whirlwind," streblos "twisted," stremma "that which is twisted."
strobe (n.)
1942, shortening of stroboscope. As a shortened form of strobe light, from 1949. As an adjective from 1942.

updated on July 20, 2017

Advertisement
Advertisement
Definitions of stroboscope from WordNet

stroboscope (n.)
scientific instrument that provides a flashing light synchronized with the periodic movement of an object; can make moving object appear stationary;
Synonyms: strobe / strobe light
From wordnet.princeton.edu, not affiliated with etymonline.

Dictionary entries near stroboscope

stripper

strip-tease

strive

strobe

strobic

stroboscope

strode

stroganoff

stroke

stroll

stroller

© 2001-2022 Douglas Harper