Periscope
/ˈpɛr.ɪˌskoʊp/noun
An optical instrument for viewing objects from a concealed position, especially from a submarine.
Did you know?Periscope was coined in the 19th century from Greek roots meaning “around” and “to look,” and it became famous as a tool for seeing without being seen.
Etymological Timeline
Ancient Greek
Greek
perískopos
“looking around, observing from all sides”
19th Century
English
periscope
“a coined scientific term for an instrument that lets the viewer see over or around obstacles”
Late 19th Century
English
periscope
“an optical tube with mirrors or prisms used for viewing from a protected position”
Modern English
English
periscope
“a device for seeing from a concealed or lower position, especially on submarines”
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