spec-, spic-, spect-, spectat-, spectro- -spectr, -spectful, -spection, -spective

(Latin: see, look; sight, appear; behold, examine)


kaleidoscope
1. An optical toy consisting of a cylinder with mirrors and colored shapes inside that create shifting symmetrical patterns when the end is rotated.
2. A complex, colorful, and shifting pattern or scene.
3. A complex set of events or circumstances.
4. From early 19th century, Greek kalos, "beautiful" plus eidos, "form"; plus scope, "see".
microscope
Misericordia non causam, sed fortunam spectat.
Compassion takes care of sufferings, it does not ask for their cause.

Motto of German Emperor Rupprecht of Palatinate (1400-1410).

periscope
1. An optical instrument that provides a view of an otherwise obstructed field.
2. A long tubular optical instrument; for example, on a submarine, that uses lenses, prisms, and mirrors to allow a viewer to see objects not in a direct line of sight.
3. An optical instrument for viewing objects that are above the level of direct sight or in an otherwise obstructed field of vision, consisting essentially of a tube with an arrangement of prisms or mirrors and, usually, lenses; used especially in submarines.
A man is his special periscope to see what is otherwise obstructed from his view.
A man uses his special periscope so he can see what is otherwise obstructed from his sight.
Word Info image © Copyright, 2006.

perspective
perspectively
perspicacious
Penetratingly discerning, perceptive, or astute; perspicaciousness.
perspicaciously
perspicacity
1. Keenness of sight; clearness of understanding or insight; penetration, discernment.
2. Acuteness of discernment or perception.
perspicuity
perspicuous
perspicuously
prospect
prospective
prospectively

Cross references of word families that are related directly, or indirectly, to: "appear, visible, visual, manifest, show, see, reveal, look": blep-; delo-; demonstra-; opt-; -orama; pare-; phanero-; phant-; pheno-; scopo-; vela-, veal-; video-, visuo-.


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