stroboscope

[ stroh-buh-skohp, strob-uh- ]
See synonyms for stroboscope on Thesaurus.com
noun
  1. a device for studying the motion of a body, especially a body in rapid revolution or vibration, by making the motion appear to slow down or stop, as by periodically illuminating the body or viewing it through widely spaced openings in a revolving disk.

  2. Photography.

    • Also called strobe, strobe light, stroboscopic lamp . a lamp capable of producing an extremely short, brilliant burst of light, for synchronization with a camera having a high shutter speed, in order to photograph a rapidly moving object, as a bullet, for such a short duration that it will appear to be standing still.

    • the device and equipment for holding and firing such a lamp.

  1. such a lamp used for creating special lighting effects, as in a theater or discotheque or at a rock concert.

Origin of stroboscope

1
1830–40; <Greek stróbo(s) action of whirling + -scope

Other words from stroboscope

  • stro·bo·scop·ic [stroh-buh-skop-ik, strob-uh-], /ˌstroʊ bəˈskɒp ɪk, ˌstrɒb ə-/, stro·bo·scop·i·cal, adjective
  • stro·bos·co·py [struh-bos-kuh-pee], /strəˈbɒs kə pi/, noun

Words Nearby stroboscope

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

British Dictionary definitions for stroboscope

stroboscope

/ (ˈstrəʊbəˌskəʊp) /


noun
  1. an instrument producing a flashing light, the frequency of which can be synchronized with some multiple of the frequency of rotation, vibration, or operation of an object, etc, making it appear stationary. It is used to determine speeds of rotation or vibration, or to adjust objects or parts: Sometimes shortened to: strobe

  2. a similar device synchronized with the opening of the shutter of a camera so that a series of still photographs can be taken of a moving object

Origin of stroboscope

1
C19: from strobo-, from Greek strobos a twisting, whirling + -scope

Derived forms of stroboscope

  • stroboscopic (ˌstrəʊbəˈskɒpɪk) or stroboscopical, adjective
  • stroboscopically, adverb

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Scientific definitions for stroboscope

stroboscope

[ strōbə-skōp′ ]


  1. Any of various instruments used to observe moving objects by making them appear stationary, especially with pulsed illumination or mechanical devices that intermittently interrupt observation.

The American Heritage® Science Dictionary Copyright © 2011. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.