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MW→kaleidoscope

kaleidoscope

Flag: gbEnglishMerriam-Webster Dictionary
ka​lei​do​scope
noun
ka·​lei·​do·​scope
kə-ˈlī-də-ˌskōp

Definition

  • an instrument containing loose bits of colored material (such as glass or plastic) between two flat plates and two plane mirrors so placed that changes of position of the bits of material are reflected in an endless variety of patterns
  • something resembling a kaleidoscope: such as
    a variegated changing pattern or scene //a kaleidoscope of colors
    a succession of changing phases or actions //a kaleidoscope of changing fashions
    a diverse collection
Other Words
  • ka​lei​do​scop​ic kə-ˌlī-də-ˈskä-pik adjective
  • ka​lei​do​scop​i​cal​ly kə-ˌlī-də-ˈskä-pi-k(ə-)lē adverb
Examples
  • //The landscape was a kaleidoscope of changing colors.
First Known Use
1817, in the meaning defined at sense 1
History and Etymology
Greek kalos beautiful + eidos form + English -scope — more at idyll
ka​lei​do​scope
noun
ka·​lei·​do·​scope
kə-ˈlī-də-ˌskōp

Definition

  • an instrument containing loose bits of colored material (such as glass or plastic) between two flat plates and two plane mirrors so placed that changes of position of the bits of material are reflected in an endless variety of patterns
  • something resembling a kaleidoscope: such as
    a variegated changing pattern or scene //a kaleidoscope of colors
    a succession of changing phases or actions //a kaleidoscope of changing fashions
    a diverse collection
Other Words
  • ka​lei​do​scop​ic kə-ˌlī-də-ˈskä-pik adjective
  • ka​lei​do​scop​i​cal​ly kə-ˌlī-də-ˈskä-pi-k(ə-)lē adverb
Examples
  • //The landscape was a kaleidoscope of changing colors.
First Known Use
1817, in the meaning defined at sense 1
History and Etymology
Greek kalos beautiful + eidos form + English -scope — more at idyll
ka​lei​do​scope
noun
ka·​lei·​do·​scope
kə-ˈlī-də-ˌskōp

Definition

  • an instrument containing loose bits of colored material (such as glass or plastic) between two flat plates and two plane mirrors so placed that changes of position of the bits of material are reflected in an endless variety of patterns
  • something resembling a kaleidoscope: such as
    a variegated changing pattern or scene //a kaleidoscope of colors
    a succession of changing phases or actions //a kaleidoscope of changing fashions
    a diverse collection
Other Words
  • ka​lei​do​scop​ic kə-ˌlī-də-ˈskä-pik adjective
  • ka​lei​do​scop​i​cal​ly kə-ˌlī-də-ˈskä-pi-k(ə-)lē adverb
Examples
  • //The landscape was a kaleidoscope of changing colors.
First Known Use
1817, in the meaning defined at sense 1
History and Etymology
Greek kalos beautiful + eidos form + English -scope — more at idyll
ka​lei​do​scope
noun
ka·​lei·​do·​scope
kə-ˈlī-də-ˌskōp

Definition

  • an instrument containing loose bits of colored material (such as glass or plastic) between two flat plates and two plane mirrors so placed that changes of position of the bits of material are reflected in an endless variety of patterns
  • something resembling a kaleidoscope: such as
    a variegated changing pattern or scene //a kaleidoscope of colors
    a succession of changing phases or actions //a kaleidoscope of changing fashions
    a diverse collection
Other Words
  • ka​lei​do​scop​ic kə-ˌlī-də-ˈskä-pik adjective
  • ka​lei​do​scop​i​cal​ly kə-ˌlī-də-ˈskä-pi-k(ə-)lē adverb
Examples
  • //The landscape was a kaleidoscope of changing colors.
First Known Use
1817, in the meaning defined at sense 1
History and Etymology
Greek kalos beautiful + eidos form + English -scope — more at idyll
kaleidoscope — MW · Shobdo