polariscope

[poh-lar-uh-skohp, puh-]

noun

Optics.

1. an instrument for measuring or exhibiting the polarization of light or for examining substances in polarized light, often to determine stress and strain in glass and other substances.

polariscope

/ pəʊˈlærɪˌskəʊp /

noun

1. an instrument for detecting polarized light or for observing objects under polarized light, esp for detecting strain in transparent materials See photoelasticity

Other Word Forms

• polariscopic adjective
• polariscopically adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of polariscope¹

1820–30; < Medieval Latin polāri ( s ) polar + -scope

Example Sentences

The part of a polariscope which receives the light after polarization, and exhibits its properties.

From Project Gutenberg

The instrument commonly employed for measuring the optic axial angle of biaxial crystals is really a combination of a goniometer with a polariscope.

From Project Gutenberg

As a result of this work Arago constructed a polariscope, which he used for some interesting observations on the polarization of the light of the sky.

From Project Gutenberg

The difficulty was settled by using the polariscope, which gave an absolute chemical test of the sweetness, irrespective of color.

From Project Gutenberg

Thus the polariscope was found to have told the truth, though not the whole truth.

From Project Gutenberg