kaleidoscope

<instrument> An instrument invented by Sir David Brewster, which contains loose fragments of coloured glass, etc, and reflecting surfaces so arranged that changes of position exhibit its contents in an endless variety of beautiful colours and symmetrical forms. It has been much employed in arts of design. "Shifting like the fragments of coloured glass in the kaleidoscope." (G. W. Cable)

Origin: Gr. Beautiful + form + -scope.

Source: Websters Dictionary

(01 Mar 1998)


Terms mentioned in text: instrument, instrument, loose, fragments, glass, reflecting, surfaces, changes, position, exhibit, contents, endless, variety, colours, symmetrical, forms, arts, design
Previous terms: kala azar, kalaemia, kalan, kalanin, kalasie, kale, kaleege, kaleidoscopical, kali, kaliopenia, kaliopenic, kalischer, kalium