Telescope
/ˈtɛl.ɪ.skoʊp/noun
An optical instrument used to make distant objects appear nearer.
Did you know?The invention of the telescope in the early 17th century not only expanded our view of the stars but also sparked a revolution in our understanding of the universe's vastness and our place within it.
Etymological Timeline
Ancient Greek
Greek
tēle
“far, distant”
Ancient Greek
Greek
skopein
“to look at, examine”
16th Century
Latin
telescopium
“instrument for viewing distant objects”
17th Century
Italian
telescopio
“device for distant sighting, coined by Galileo”
Modern English
English
telescope
“optical instrument for viewing distant celestial bodies”
Explore more surprising origins