spinthariscope

[ spin-thar-uh-skohp ]

/ spɪnˈθær əˌskoʊp /

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noun

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

QUIZ

THINGAMABOB OR THINGUMMY: CAN YOU DISTINGUISH BETWEEN THE US AND UK TERMS IN THIS QUIZ?

Do you know the difference between everyday US and UK terminology? Test yourself with this quiz on words that differ across the Atlantic.

Question 1 of 7

In the UK, COTTON CANDY is more commonly known as…

candystring

candyfloss

candypuff

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Origin of spinthariscope

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

OTHER WORDS FROM spinthariscope

spin·thar·i·scop·ic

[spin-thar-uh-skop-ik], /spɪnˌθær əˈskɒp ɪk/, adjective

Words nearby spinthariscope

spinproof, spin quantum number, spin room, spin stabilization, spinster, spinthariscope, spin the bottle, spin the platter, spinto, spinule, spin vector

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use spinthariscope in a sentence

Sir William Crookes invented this radium light apparatus and called it a "spinthariscope," which is Greek for "spark-seer."
Creative Chemistry|Edwin E. Slosson
But the most striking way of showing the emanations is by the little contrivance I call a Spinthariscope.
The Life Radiant|Lilian Whiting
A simple form of apparatus called the spinthariscope has been devised to show these scintillations.
A Brief Account of Radio-activity|Francis Preston Venable

British Dictionary definitions for spinthariscope

spinthariscope

/ (spɪnˈθærɪˌskəʊp) /

noun

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

Word Origin for spinthariscope

C20: from Greek spintharis a little spark + -scope

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