thaumatrope

[ thaw-muh-trohp ]

noun

1. a card with different pictures on opposite sides, as a horse on one side and a rider on the other, which appear as if combined when the card is twirled rapidly, thus illustrating the persistence of visual impressions.

thaumatrope

/ ˈθɔːməˌtrəʊp; ˌθɔːməˈtrɒpɪkəl /

noun

1. a toy in which partial pictures on the two sides of a card appear to merge when the card is twirled rapidly

Derived Forms

• thaumatropical, adjective

Other Words From

• thau·ma·trop·i·cal [thaw-m, uh, -, trop, -i-k, uh, l], adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of thaumatrope¹

First recorded in 1820–30; thauma(to)- + -trope

Word History and Origins

Origin of thaumatrope¹

C19: from thaumato- + -trope

Example Sentences

These memories lie in confusion, unformed and undefined, like pictures in a thaumatrope.

From Project Gutenberg

The thaumatrope, then, did nothing more than illustrate the power of the eye to weld together a couple of alternating impressions.

From Project Gutenberg

Why do the figures upon the "Thaumatrope" appear to dance, when they are made to revolve before a mirror?

From Project Gutenberg