kaleidoscope

American  

[kuh-lahy-duh-skohp] / kəˈlaɪ dəˌskoʊp /

noun

1. an optical instrument in which bits of glass, held loosely at the end of a rotating tube, are shown in continually changing symmetrical forms by reflection in two or more mirrors set at angles to each other.

2. a continually changing pattern of shapes and colors.

3. a continually shifting pattern, scene, or the like.

   The 1920s were a kaleidoscope of fads and fashions.

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kaleidoscope British  

/ kəˌlaɪdəˈskɒpɪk, kəˈlaɪdəˌskəʊp /

noun

1. an optical toy for producing symmetrical patterns by multiple reflections in inclined mirrors enclosed in a tube. Loose pieces of coloured glass, paper, etc, are placed between transparent plates at the far end of the tube, which is rotated to change the pattern

2. any complex pattern of frequently changing shapes and colours

3. a complicated set of circumstances

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Other Word Forms

• kaleidoscopic adjective
• kaleidoscopically adverb

Etymology

Origin of kaleidoscope

1817; < Greek kal ( ós ) beautiful + eîdo ( s ) shape + -scope

Example Sentences

With exhilarating charisma, stage energy and impassioned lyrics, Senegalese musician Sahad has created a unique body of work from a kaleidoscope of influences, culminating in his new pan-African album.

From Barron's

Vibrant coral dots the foreground while a kaleidoscope of stars unfolds behind her.

From The Wall Street Journal

More than 50 different songs appear, sometimes impatiently cast aside by Mr. Luhrmann so he can jiggle and rotate his kaleidoscope again.

From The Wall Street Journal

Fireworks flared in a kaleidoscope of brilliant colours.

From BBC

It's like a kaleidoscope, he thought, as the colors swirled in the light of his desk lamp.

From Literature