oscilloscope

American  

[uh-sil-uh-skohp] / əˈsɪl əˌskoʊp /

noun

Electricity.

1. a device that gives a visual graph of amplitude versus time of a measured signal, as voltage or current.

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oscilloscope British  

/ ɒˈsɪləˌskəʊp /

noun

1. an instrument for producing a representation of a quantity that rapidly changes with time on the screen of a cathode-ray tube. The changes are converted into electric signals, which are applied to plates in the cathode-ray tube. Changes in the magnitude of the potential across the plates deflect the electron beam and thus produce a trace on the screen

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oscilloscope Scientific  

/ ə-sĭl′ə-skōp′ /

1. An electronic instrument used to observe and measure changing electrical signals. The amplitude of the signal as it varies with time is displayed graphically on a screen as a line stretching from left to right, with displacements up and down indicating the amplitude of the signal. Oscilloscopes are used to diagnose problems in electronic signal-processing devises, such as computers or stereos, and to monitor electrical activity in the body, such as that of heartbeats.

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Other Word Forms

• oscilloscopic
  adjective
• oscilloscopically
  adverb

Etymology

Origin of oscilloscope

First recorded in 1905–10; oscill(ate) + -o- + -scope

Example Sentences

Oscilloscope Labs expanded “Ms. Purple” into four locations from one last weekend, earning $13,650 for a per-screen average of $3,413 and a cumulative $31,878.

From Los Angeles Times • Sep. 15, 2019

Mr. Fenkel formerly ran the independent film company Oscilloscope, which he co-founded with the Beastie Boys rapper Adam Yauch.

From New York Times • Mar. 3, 2018

The final version of the doc, now titled The King, was acquired by Oscilloscope earlier this month and premiered at the Sundance Film Festival on Thursday.

From Slate • Jan. 26, 2018

Oscilloscope, founded by the late Adam Yauch, a politically vocal celebrity himself, hasn’t worked with massive stars on giant projects, so it hasn’t had to face this dynamic.

From Washington Post • Feb. 16, 2017

Oscilloscope, signal generator, volt meters and such soon formed a bank around the original piece of equipment, in positions of maximum access.

From Where I Wasn't Going by Richmond, Walt