spinthariscope

American  

[spin-thar-uh-skohp] / spɪnˈθær əˌskoʊp /

noun

1. an instrument that detects ionizing radiation by picking up sparks of light from alpha particles.

---

spinthariscope British  

/ spɪnˈθærɪˌskəʊp /

noun

1. a device for observing ionizing radiation, consisting of a tube with a magnifying lens at one end and a phosphorescent screen at the other. A particle hitting the screen produces a scintillation

---

Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• spinthariscopic
  adjective

Etymology

Origin of spinthariscope

First recorded in 1900–1905; formed irregulary from Greek spintharí(s) (inflectional stem spintharíd- ) “spark” + -scope ( def. )

Example Sentences

A simple form of apparatus called the spinthariscope has been devised to show these scintillations.

From A Brief Account of Radio-activity by Venable, Francis Preston

Sir W. Crookes has invented a curious little apparatus, the spinthariscope, which enables us to examine the phosphorescence of the blende excited by these rays.

From The New Physics and Its Evolution by Poincaré, Lucien

A little instrument called a spinthariscope, devised by Dr. Crookes and on sale at the instrument and optical-goods shops, may be had for a trifling sum.

From A History of Science, Volume 5(of 5) Aspects Of Recent Science by Williams, Henry Smith

Chemical analysis fails to reach the radio-active properties, and for their examination the electroscope and spinthariscope are needful.

From The Grey Room by Phillpotts, Eden

Sir William Crookes invented this radium light apparatus and called it a "spinthariscope," which is Greek for "spark-seer."

From Creative Chemistry Descriptive of Recent Achievements in the Chemical Industries by Slosson, Edwin E.