oscilloscopen.
/əˈsɪləskəʊp/, /ɒˈsɪləskəʊp/, U.S. /əˈsɪləˌskoʊp/ 1. A device for recording oscillations; = oscillograph n. 2a. Now: spec. (more fully cathode-ray oscilloscope) an electronic instrument in which a moving spot on the screen of a cathode ray tube represents by its position the relationship between two variables, usually a steady or varying signal voltage (vertically) and time (horizontally), and which is capable of displaying an oscillating voltage as a stationary trace.
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the world > matter > physics > electromagnetic radiation > electricity > electric current > alternating current > [noun] > instrument displaying change
oscillograph1893
oscilloscope1909
the world > matter > physics > electromagnetic radiation > electronics > electronic devices or components > cathode-ray tube > [noun] > oscilloscope
oscilloscope1909
monitor1931
1909 Webster's New Internat. Dict. Eng. Lang. Oscilloscope, an instrument for showing visually the changes in a varying current; an oscillograph.
1927 F. Bedell & H. Reich in Trans. Amer. Inst. Electr. Engineers 46 546 These limitations..may be removed and the field of usefulness of the cathode-ray oscillograph so widened that it becomes practically a new instrument. As the instrument developed for this purpose..is primarily intended for visual observation, we have given it the name ‘oscilloscope’. Permanent record may be obtained..by a photograph in the usual way. On the other hand, an oscillograph of the Blondel or Duddell type, both in name and in fact, is primarily for graphical record.
1936 V. Karapetoff & B. C. Dennison Electr. Lab. Exper. xix. 451 The need exists for an oscillograph possessing negligible inertia. Such an instrument is the cathode-ray oscillograph, or oscilloscope.
1953 A. C. Clarke Prelude to Space (rev. ed.) xxiii. 121 Clifton seemed to be hypnotised by a cathode-ray oscilloscope, the screen of which was filled with fantastic geometrical figures, continually shifting.
1967 G. F. Fiennes I tried to run Railway viii. 99 One weekend the oscilloscope at one depot, Laira, found seven axles flawed.
1982 Giant Bk. Electronics Projects v. 198 The waveform is evident in the oscilloscope display.
1992 Everyday Electronics (BNC) June 373 If an oscilloscope is available, check that a signal is reaching pin 3 of IC1 when a sound is directed into the microphone.
2. A discharge tube used to measure the amount of current flowing in an electrical circuit. disused.
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the world > matter > physics > electromagnetic radiation > electricity > discharge of electricity > [noun] > container
tube1859
Geissler tube1863
Crookes's tube1884
oscilloscope1915
the world > matter > physics > electromagnetic radiation > electricity > electric current > [noun] > other means of measurement
integrating meter1902
multimeter1907
oscilloscope1915
1915 R. Knox Radiogr. i. 53 The best method of detecting reverse current is by the use of an oscilloscope tube... Two aluminium wires, separated by a small gap, are enclosed in an oblong glass tube, and the wire connected with the negative pole becomes, when the current passes, surrounded by a violet fluorescence, but if each wire is alternately negative and positive both wires become fluorescent and the length of the fluorescent band indicates the intensity of the current.
1926 Brit. Standard Gloss. Terms Electr. Engin. (Brit. Engin. Standards Assoc.) 206 Oscilloscope, an auxiliary discharge tube in which the length of the negative glow affords an indication of the amount of current passing.
3. A stroboscopic apparatus used to make visible irregularities in the motion of rapidly rotating or oscillating machinery. disused.
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society > occupation and work > equipment > machine > [noun] > instrument measuring speed or motion of machine
tachometer1810
oscilloscope1922
the world > physical sensation > sight and vision > optical instruments > instruments for observing > [noun] > stroboscope or oscilloscope
stroboscope1896
oscilloscope1922
strobe1942
strobe disc1942
1922 Glasgow Herald 10 Oct. 6 The Elverson oscilloscope..is an apparatus for slowing down to the eye..any high-speed machinery.
1924 A. J. H. Elverson in Jrnl. Sci. Instrum. 1 116 The ‘Elverson Oscilloscope’ is an optomechanical device which has been designed to facilitate the examination of the behaviour of high speed movements under working conditions.
1927 Trans. Amer. Inst. Electr. Engineers 46 550/1 There was a device produced in England a few years ago by a Mr. Elverson, designed for visualizing the movements of rapidly oscillating mechanisms. It is purely mechanical and optical in its nature and is now generally known as the Elverson oscilloscope.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, September 2004; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
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n.1909