electroscope

[ ih-lek-truh-skohp ]

noun
  1. a device for detecting the presence and determining the sign of electric charges by means of electrostatic attraction and repulsion, often between two pieces of gold leaf enclosed in a glass-walled chamber.

Origin of electroscope

1
First recorded in 1815–25; electro- + -scope

Other words from electroscope

  • e·lec·tro·scop·ic [ih-lek-truh-skop-ik], /ɪˌlɛk trəˈskɒp ɪk/, adjective

Words Nearby electroscope

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

How to use electroscope in a sentence

  • At any time in the drift, an electroscope exposed outside became rapidly charged.

    The Home of the Blizzard | Douglas Mawson
  • The electroscope will now insulate well enough to show no appreciable collapse of the leaves in one or two hours' time.

    On Laboratory Arts | Richard Threlfall
  • The quartz electroscope is taken, and the insulating rod heated in the blow-pipe.

    On Laboratory Arts | Richard Threlfall
  • A charge is given to the electroscope, and the time required for a given degree of collapse of the leaves noted.

    On Laboratory Arts | Richard Threlfall
  • When a charged body is brought near the electroscope the leaves become charged similarly by induction.

British Dictionary definitions for electroscope

electroscope

/ (ɪˈlɛktrəʊˌskəʊp) /


noun
  1. an apparatus for detecting an electric charge, typically consisting of a rod holding two gold foils that separate when a charge is applied

Derived forms of electroscope

  • electroscopic (ɪˌlɛktrəʊˈskɒpɪk), adjective

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