Etymology Explorer › English

Where does “strobe” come from?

Strobe is shortened from stroboscope, which combines Ancient Greek σκοπέω (skopéō, to look) and -scope, ultimately from Proto-Indo-European speḱ- meaning to observe or perceive.

strobe (English): A stroboscopic lamp: a device used to produce...

Definitions

  1. A stroboscopic lamp: a device used to produce...

Ancestry of “strobe”, step by step

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1EnglishstroboscopeInstrument for studying or observing periodic...
2EnglishscopeThe breadth, depth or reach of a subject; a...
3Italianscopoaim, end, goal; first-person singular present...
4Latinscopusa target
5Ancient Greekσκοπόςwatcher, lookout; protector, guardian; spy, scout
6Ancient GreekσκέπτομαιI look at, examine; I examine, consider, think
7Proto-Hellenicsképťomaito look at
8Proto-Indo-Europeanspéḱyetito be looking at, to keep looking at
9Proto-Indo-Europeanspeḱ-to see, to look, to observe

Words derived from “strobe”

  • strobelike
  • strobic
  • strobotron
Every word from Proto-Indo-European speḱ- →