gyroscope

Etymology

Borrowed from French gyroscope, coined in 1856 by physicist Leon Foucault, equivalent to gyro- +‎ -scope, from Ancient Greek γῦρος (gûros, “circle”) and σκοπός (skopós, “watcher”).

Noun

gyroscope (plural gyroscopes)

1. an apparatus composed of a wheel which spins inside of a frame (gimbal) and causes the balancing of the frame in any direction or position. In the form of a gyroscopic stabilizer, used to help keep aircraft and ships steady.

Etymology

gyro- +‎ -scope, coined in 1856 by physicist Leon Foucault, from Ancient Greek γῦρος (gûros, “circle”) and σκοπός (skopós, “watcher”).

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /ʒi.ʁos.kop/

• Audio (Paris)

  (file)

Noun

gyroscope m (plural gyroscopes)

1. gyroscope

Further reading

• “gyroscope” in le Trésor de la langue française informatisé (The Digitized Treasury of the French Language).