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periscope

an optical instrument for observing from a concealed or lower position, used in submarines

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Where does the word "periscope" come from? It comes from Greek peri, and was adopted directly into English (1899).

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Where does the word "periscope" come from? It comes from Greek peri, and was adopted directly into English (1899).

Periscope’s story begins in Greek: peri meant “around.” Around, combined with skopein (to view). It reached English by 1899 as periscope. Coined from Greek peri (around) and skopein (to view) for an instrument allowing sight around obstacles. Today, periscope means an optical instrument for observing from a concealed or lower position, used in submarines.

  1. Stage 1 · Greek · ancient peri "around", around, combined with skopein (to view).
  2. Stage 2 · English · 1899 periscope "an instrument for viewing around obstacles", coined from Greek peri (around) and skopein (to view) for an instrument allowing sight around obstacles.

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