Kaleidoscope
/kəˈlaɪ.də.skoʊp/noun
A toy consisting of a tube containing mirrors and colored objects that create patterns when viewed through one end.
Did you know?The concept of the kaleidoscope was inspired by ancient Greek ideas of beauty and harmony, intertwining art and science in a visual symphony.
Etymological Timeline
Ancient Greek
Greek
καλός (kalos)
“beautiful, good”
Ancient Greek
Greek
ειδος (eidos)
“form, shape”
Ancient Greek
Greek
σκοπείν (skopein)
“to look at, examine”
19th Century
English
kaleidoscope
“a device for viewing beautiful patterns created by colored objects and mirrors.”
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