Etymology Explorer › English

Where does “oscilloscope” come from?

Oscilloscope comes from English oscillate and Ancient Greek σκοπέω, meaning to examine or view, combined with σκοπός, an observer or watcher.

oscilloscope (English): An electronic measuring instrument that creates a...

Definitions

  1. An electronic measuring instrument that creates a...

Ancestry of “oscilloscope”, step by step

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1English-scopeUsed to make terms denoting an instrument used...
2Ancient GreekσκοπέωI look, look at, behold; I examine, inspect; 413...
3Ancient Greekσκοπόςwatcher, lookout; protector, guardian; spy, scout
4Ancient GreekσκέπτομαιI look at, examine; I examine, consider, think
5Proto-Hellenicsképťomaito look at
6Proto-Indo-Europeanspéḱyetito be looking at, to keep looking at
7Proto-Indo-Europeanspeḱ-to see, to look, to observe

Words derived from “oscilloscope”

  • scope dope
Every word from Proto-Indo-European speḱ- →