[f. Gr. χρόνο-ς time + -σκοπος observer.] An instrument for observing and measuring time.
† a. A chronometric pendulum. Obs.
1704. J. Harris, Lex. Techn., Chronoscope, the same with a Pendulum to measure Time.
1731–1800. in Bailey.
b. An instrument for measuring very short intervals of time, which has been chiefly used in determining the velocity of projectiles. It was invented by Wheatstone in 1840, and consists of wire targets placed in the line of fire. The projectile passing through these severs the wire, and the moment of severance is recorded by electricity.
1846. Faraday, Res., xlix. 366. Incidental to the accounts I gave of Wheatstone’s electro-magnetic chronoscope.
c. (See quot.)
1884. F. J. Britten, Watch & Clockm., 60. [A] Chronoscope … is … a clock in which the time is shewn by figures presented through holes in the dial.
Hence Chronoscopic a.
1876. S. Kens. Museum Catal., No. 1354. The instant of stimulation registered on the chronoscopic line by the current itself. Ibid., 3953. Chronoscopic Tuning Forks. Set of 4 tuning forks … to be used as chronoscopes.
