Gyroscope — Gy ro*scope (j[imac] r[ o]*sk[=o]p), n. [Gr. gy^ros ring, circle + scope.] 1. 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.… … The Collaborative International Dictionary of English
gyroscope — [jī′rō skōp΄, jī′rəskōp΄] n. [ GYRO + SCOPE] a wheel mounted in a set of rings so that its axis of rotation is free to turn in any direction: when the wheel is spun rapidly, it will keep the original direction of its rotation axis no matter which … English World dictionary
gyroscope — heavy rotating wheel with an axis free to turn in any direction, 1856, invented and named in French 1852 by Foucault, from Gk. gyros circle (see GYRE (Cf. gyre)) + skopos watcher (see SCOPE (Cf. scope) (1)), because the device demonstrates that… … Etymology dictionary
gyroscope — ► NOUN ▪ a device, used to provide stability or maintain a fixed orientation, consisting of a wheel or disc spinning rapidly about an axis which is itself free to alter in direction. DERIVATIVES gyroscopic adjective … English terms dictionary
Gyroscope — A gyroscope is a device for measuring or maintaining orientation, based on the principles of angular momentum [ [http://demonstrations.wolfram.com/Gyroscope/ Gyroscope] by Sándor Kabai, The Wolfram Demonstrations Project.] [… … Wikipedia
gyroscope — gyroscopic /juy reuh skop ik/, adj. gyroscopically, adv. /juy reuh skohp /, n. an apparatus consisting of a rotating wheel so mounted that its axis can turn freely in certain or all directions, and capable of maintaining the same absolute… … Universalium
Wheel — A wheel is a circular device that is capable of rotating on its axis, facilitating movement or transportation whilst supporting a load (mass), or performing labour in machines. A wheel, together with an axle overcomes friction by facilitating… … Wikipedia
gyroscope — A rapidly spinning wheel with its weight concentrated on its rim and having a freedom in one or more planes at right angles to the plane of rotation. Gyroscopes have two basic characteristics of rigidity in space and precession. Because of… … Aviation dictionary
gyroscope — UK [ˈdʒaɪrəˌskəʊp] / US [ˈdʒaɪrəˌskoʊp] noun [countable] Word forms gyroscope : singular gyroscope plural gyroscopes a wheel that stays steady when it spins around inside a frame, used for controlling the movement of ships and aircraft or as a… … English dictionary
gyroscope — noun Etymology: French Date: 1856 a wheel or disk mounted to spin rapidly about an axis and also free to rotate about one or both of two axes perpendicular to each other and to the axis of spin so that a rotation of one of the two mutually… … New Collegiate Dictionary