— stroboscopic /stroh'beuh skop"ik, strob'euh-/ , stroboscopical , adj. — stroboscopy /streuh bos"keuh pee/ , n.
/stroh"beuh skohp', strob"euh-/ , n.
1. a device for studying the motion of a body, esp. a body in rapid revolution or vibration, by making the motion appear to slow down or stop, as by periodically illuminating the body or viewing it through widely spaced openings in a revolving disk.
2. Photog.
a. Also called strobe, strobe light, stroboscopic lamp . a lamp capable of producing an extremely short, brilliant burst of light, for synchronization with a camera having a high shutter speed, in order to photograph a rapidly moving object, as a bullet, for such a short duration that it will appear to be standing still.
b. the device and equipment for holding and firing such a lamp.
3. such a lamp used for creating special lighting effects, as in a theater or discotheque or at a rock concert.
[ 1830-40; stróbo ( s ) action of whirling + -SCOPE ]