Trends ofkaleidoscope
View usage for:
kaleidoscope
(kəlaɪdəskoʊp)
Word forms: plural kaleidoscopes
1. countable noun
A kaleidoscope is a toy in the shape of a tube with a small hole at one end. If you look through the hole and turn the other end of the tube, you can see a pattern of colours which changes as you turn the tube round.
2. singular noun
You can describe something that is made up of a lot of different and frequently changing colours or elements as a kaleidoscope.
...the vivid kaleidoscope of colours displayed in the plumage of the peacock. [+ of]
...a kaleidoscope of different alliances, groupings and interests.
kaleidoscope in British English
(kəˈlaɪdəˌskəʊp)
noun
1.
an optical toy for producing symmetrical patterns by multiple reflections in inclined mirrors enclosed in a tube. Loose pieces of coloured glass, paper, etc, are placed between transparent plates at the far end of the tube, which is rotated to change the pattern
2.
any complex pattern of frequently changing shapes and colours
3.
a complicated set of circumstances
Derived forms
kaleidoscopic (kəˌlaɪdəˈskɒpɪk) adjective
kaleidoscopically (kaˌleidoˈscopically)
adverb
Word origin
C19: from Greek kalos beautiful + eidos form + -scopekaleidoscope in American English
(kəˈlaɪdəˌskoʊp)
noun
1.
a tubular instrument containing loose bits of colored glass, plastic, etc. reflected by mirrors so that various symmetrical patterns appear when the tube is held to the eye and rotated
2.
anything that constantly changes, as in color and pattern
Derived forms
kaleidoscopic (kaˌleidoˈscopic) (kəˌlaɪdəˈskɑpɪk) adjective
kaleidoscopically (kaˌleidoˈscopically)
adverb
Word origin
< Gr kalos, beautiful + eidos, form (see -oid) + -scopeImage ofkaleidoscope
© Kbiros, shutterstock