seismometer

[sahyz-mom-i-ter, sahys-]

noun

a seismograph equipped for measuring the direction, intensity, and duration of earthquakes by measuring the actual movement of the ground.

Origin of seismometer

First recorded in 1835–45; seismo- + -meter

Related formsseis·mo·met·ric

[sahyz-muh-me-trik, sahys-] /ˌsaɪz məˈmɛ trɪk, ˌsaɪs-/, seis·mo·met·ri·cal, adjectiveseis·mom·et·ry, noun

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Examples from the Web for seismometer

Contemporary Examples of seismometer

It is a seismometer for the shifting ground of British politics.
The War Over Blair’s Memoir
Peter Hoskin
September 7, 2010

Historical Examples of seismometer

This is the old Cacciatore seismometer which has been long employed in Italy.
The Eruption of Vesuvius in 1872
Luigi Palmieri
Unfortunately this fate was shared by a seismometer that had been set up on the island.
The 'Ayesha' being the adventures of the landing squad of the 'Emden'
Hellmuth von Mcke
Seis′mogram, the record made by a seismometer; Seismog′rapher.
Chambers's Twentieth Century Dictionary (part 4 of 4: S-Z and supplements)
Various
Seismom′etry, the measuring the phenomena of earthquakes; Seis′moscope, a name of the simpler form of seismometer.
Chambers's Twentieth Century Dictionary (part 4 of 4: S-Z and supplements)
Various
In due time they reach, say the Isle of Wight, where they set the pencil of the seismometer at work.
The San Francisco Calamity
Various

Word Origin and History for seismometer

"instrument for measuring the intensity and motion of earthquakes," 1841, from seismo- + -meter. Originally different from a seismograph but now practically the same thing.

seismometer in Science

seismometer

[sīz-mŏm′ĭ-tər]

A detecting device that receives seismic impulses. It is the detecting component of a seismograph. See more at seismograph.