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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.
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Origin of electroscope

First recorded in 1815–25; electro- + -scope
Related formse·lec·tro·scop·ic [ih-lek-truh-skop-ik] /ɪˌlɛk trəˈskɒp ɪk/, adjective
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Examples from the Web for electroscope

Historical Examples of electroscope

  • I now show you by this electroscope that these charges are unlike in character.

    Scientific American Supplement, No. 647, May 26, 1888

    Various

  • The leaves of the latter will separate showing that the electroscope is charged.

    Physics

    Willis Eugene Tower

  • At the lower end of the tube are two gold leaves as in an electroscope.

    Perpetual Motion

    Percy Verance

  • This he appropriately called a versorium; we would call it an electroscope.

    Makers of Electricity

    Brother Potamian

  • In its simplest form the electrometer is called the "electroscope."

British Dictionary definitions for electroscope

electroscope

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
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Derived Formselectroscopic (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