Word Study
gyroscope
CIDE DICTIONARY
gyroscope, n. [Gr. gy^ros ring, circle + -scope.].
- A rotating wheel, mounted in a ring or rings, for illustrating the dynamics of rotating bodies, the composition of rotations, etc. It was devised by Professor W. R. Johnson, in 1832, by whom it was called the
rotascope . [1913 Webster] - A form of the above apparatus, invented by M. Foucault, mounted so delicately as to render visible the rotation of the earth, through the tendency of the rotating wheel to preserve a constant plane of rotation, independently of the earth's motion. [1913 Webster]
OXFORD DICTIONARY
gyroscope, n. a rotating wheel whose axis is free to turn but maintains a fixed direction unless perturbed, esp. used for stabilization or with the compass in an aircraft, ship, etc.
Derivative
gyroscopic adj. gyroscopically adv.
Etymology
F (as GYRO-, SCOPE(2))
THESAURUS
gyroscope
balance, balance rudder, balance wheel, ballast, centrifuge, chuck, counterbalance, counterweight, drill, extractor, fan, fin, fixative, flywheel, governor, hairspring, impeller, jack, keel, mordant, pendulum, propeller, reel, roller, rolling pin, rotary drill, rotor, screw, shock absorber, spindle, spinner, spit, spool, springs, stabilizator, stiffening, tail plane, teetotum, top, treadmill, turbine, turntable, whorl, windmillROGET THESAURUS
gyroscope
Rotation
N rotation, revolution, spinning, gyration, turning about an axis, turning aound an axis, circulation, roll, circumrotation, circumvolution, circumgyration, volutation, circination, turbination, pirouette, convolution, verticity, whir, whirl, eddy, vortex, whirlpool, gurge, countercurrent, Maelstrom, Charybdis, Ixion, cyclone, tornado, whirlwind, dust devil, spin-out, axis, axis of rotation, swivel, pivot, pivot point, axle, spindle, pin, hinge, pole, arbor, bobbin, mandrel, axle shaft, gymbal, hub, hub of rotation, helix, helical motion, angular momentum, angular velocity, revolutions per minute, RPM, centrifugal force, surge, vertigo, dizzy round, coriolus force, carousel, merry-go-round, Ferris wheel, top, dreidel, teetotum, gyroscope, turntable, lazy suzan, screw, whirligig, rollingstone, water wheel, windmill, wheel, pulley wheel, roulette wheel, potter's wheel, pinwheel, gear, roller, flywheel, jack, caster, centrifuge, ultracentrifuge, bench centrifuge, refrigerated centrifuge, gas centrifuge, microfuge, drill, augur, oil rig, wagon wheel, wheel, tire, tyre, trochilics, whirling dervish, rotating, rotary, rotary, circumrotatory, trochilic, vertiginous, gyratory, vortical, vorticose, head over heels, round and round, like a horse in a mill.For further exploring for "gyroscope" in Webster Dictionary Online