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kaleidoscope

   Also found in: Encyclopedia, Wikipedia, Hutchinson 0.03 sec.
ka·lei·do·scope  (k-ld-skp)
n.
1. A tube-shaped optical instrument that is rotated to produce a succession of symmetrical designs by means of mirrors reflecting the constantly changing patterns made by bits of colored glass at one end of the tube.
2. A constantly changing set of colors.
3. A series of changing phases or events: a kaleidoscope of illusions.

[Greek kalos, beautiful + eidos, form; see weid- in Indo-European roots + -scope.]

ka·leido·scopic (-skpk), ka·leido·scopi·cal adj.
ka·leido·scopi·cal·ly adv.

kaleidoscope
Noun
1. a tube-shaped toy lined with angled mirrors and containing loose pieces of coloured paper that form intricate patterns when viewed through a hole in the end
2. any complicated or rapidly changing set of colours, circumstances, etc.: a kaleidoscope of shifting political groups and alliances [Greek kalos beautiful + eidos form + skopein to look at]
kaleidoscopic adj

kaleidoscope
an optical device composed of bits of colored glass and several reflecting surfaces that presents to the viewer symmetrical patterns when shaken or rotated. — kaleidoscopic, adj.
See also: Instruments
ThesaurusLegend:  Synonyms Related Words Antonyms
Noun1.kaleidoscope - a complex pattern of constantly changing colors and shapes
pattern, form, shape - a perceptual structure; "the composition presents problems for students of musical form"; "a visual pattern must include not only objects but the spaces between them"
2.kaleidoscopekaleidoscope - an optical toy in a tube; it produces symmetrical patterns as bits of colored glass are reflected by mirrors
plaything, toy - an artifact designed to be played with
Translations
Spanish kaleidoscope [kəˈlaɪdəskəup] ncalidoscopio
French kaleidoscope [kəˈlaɪdəskəup] nkaléidoscope m
German kaleidoscope [kəˈlaɪdəskəup] nKaleidoskop nt
Italian kaleidoscope [kəˈlaɪdəskəup] ncaleidoscopio

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? Mentioned in ? References in classic literature
 
It was marvellous, a feast for the eyes, this complication of coloured tints, a perfect kaleidoscope of green, yellow, orange, violet, indigo, and blue; in one word, the whole palette of an enthusiastic colourist
But you couldn't make a man like Winsett see that; and that was why the New York of literary clubs and exotic restaurants, though a first shake made it seem more of a kaleidoscope, turned out, in the end, to be a smaller box, with a more monotonous pattern, than the assembled atoms of Fifth Avenue.
A man may be very sober--or at least firmly set upon his legs on that neutral ground which lies between the confines of perfect sobriety and slight tipsiness--and yet feel a strong tendency to mingle up present circumstances with others which have no manner of connection with them; to confound all consideration of persons, things, times, and places; and to jumble his disjointed thoughts together in a kind of mental kaleidoscope, producing combinations as unexpected as they are transitory.
 
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