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kaleidoscope Definition

ka·lei·do·scope (kə līdə skōp′)

noun

  1. a tubular instrument containing loose bits of colored glass, plastic, etc. reflected by mirrors so that various symmetrical patterns appear when the tube is held to the eye and rotated
  2. anything that constantly changes, as in color and pattern

Etymology: < Gr kalos, beautiful + eidos, form (see -oid) + -scope

kaleidoscope Related Forms
ka·lei′·do·scopic (-skäpik) adjective ka·lei′·do·scopi·cally adverb
kaleidoscope Usage Examples

Preposition: of

  • color: The bustling market streets are a kaleidoscope of color.
  • sound: A musical painting Edward Elgar was inspired by the towering strength of the Malvern hills which he captured in a kaleidoscope of orchestral sounds.
  • culture: It celebrates not only a kaleidoscope of cultures but also the common joys of childhood.
  • image: But it gradually paid off, with a kaleidoscope of memorable images to illustrate the fact.
  • music: Now a dazzling show is spread out on the Esplanade, a whirling and colorful kaleidoscope of music, dance and display.
  • life: The result is a sumptuously illustrated kaleidoscope of British life.

Converse of object

  • create: Rotation of the stage creates a kaleidoscope like effect.
  • present: The interior of the hotel presents a kaleidoscope of impressions including the European marble mosaic of the entrance court.
  • offer: If you combine this with a ride that offers a kaleidoscope of Autumn colors the Camel Trail is " a must do " .
  • produce: It then shows how they can be developed and combined to produce a kaleidoscope of 3D possibilities.
  • make: Traditional Balkan gypsy songs are remixed by club producers from around the globe to make kaleidoscopes of sound.
  • see: So we know that the next general election will see a kaleidoscope of different left challenges to Labor.

Adjective modifier

  • ever-changing: The range of images is diverse, an ever-changing kaleidoscope in which the wonderful color and movement of the patterns is constantly extended.
  • wonderful: In this way a wonderful kaleidoscope of sound emerges which may be compared to varieties of pentecostal singing found around the world.
  • fascinating: The book presents a fascinating kaleidoscope of all aspects of Buddhism, including Tantra, Zen and the Pure Land beliefs of Japan.
  • dazzling: Enjoy yourself to the full in a dazzling kaleidoscope of sports and entertainment.
  • magnificent: I could only see one orange disk now, bathing the tree-line with a magnificent kaleidoscope of alternating colors.
  • own: Being in control of your own kaleidoscope is therefore key to your success.

Modifies a noun

  • pattern: Much more complex structures exist, such as the windy helix of a DNA, or a kaleidoscope pattern.
  • effect: The image on the right has made a lot of use of the kaleidoscope effect.
kaleidoscope Quotes

When I have them working together, it's like a beautiful kaleidoscope.

—Coleman, Ornette

Browse dictionary entries near kaleidoscope

  1. kale
  2. Kalb
  3. Kalat
  4. kalanchoe
  5. Kalamazoo
  6. Kalahari
  7. kala azar
  8. kal
  9. kaki
  10. kakemono
  1. kaleidoscopic
  2. kalends
  3. Kalevala
  4. kaleyard
  5. Kalgan
  6. Kali
  7. Kalidasa
  8. kalif
  9. Kalimantan
  10. kalimba