spinthariscope

[ spin-thar-uh-skohp ]
/ spɪnˈθær əˌskoʊp /

noun

an instrument that detects ionizing radiation by picking up sparks of light from alpha particles.

OTHER WORDS FROM spinthariscope

spin·thar·i·scop·ic [spin-thar-uh-skop-ik] /spɪnˌθær əˈskɒp ɪk/, adjective

Words nearby spinthariscope

spinoza, spinoza, benedict, spinozism, spinproof, spinster, spinthariscope, spinto, spinule, spiny, spiny anteater, spiny cocklebur

Example sentences from the Web for spinthariscope

  • But the most striking way of showing the emanations is by the little contrivance I call a Spinthariscope.

    The Life Radiant |Lilian Whiting

  • A simple form of apparatus called the spinthariscope has been devised to show these scintillations.

    A Brief Account of Radio-activity |Francis Preston Venable

  • Sir William Crookes invented this radium light apparatus and called it a "spinthariscope," which is Greek for "spark-seer."

    Creative Chemistry |Edwin E. Slosson

British Dictionary definitions for spinthariscope

spinthariscope
/ (spɪnˈθærɪˌskəʊp) /

noun

a device for observing ionizing radiation, consisting of a tube with a magnifying lens at one end and a phosphorescent screen at the other. A particle hitting the screen produces a scintillation

Word Origin for spinthariscope

C20: from Greek spintharis a little spark + -scope