An optical instrument or mirror that corrects anamorphic (distorted) images, allowing an anamorphic picture to be viewed correctly; a device for examining anamorphic artwork.
From 'anamorphic' + '-scope' (from Greek 'skopein,' to view or examine). The term emerged in 17th-18th century art history and optics to describe tools for viewing and correcting distorted images.
Anamorphoscopes were the technology of Renaissance art—artists would use conical or cylindrical mirrors to check their distorted paintings, and collectors would use them to view hidden images. They're the ancestor of every optical illusion, from stereoscopes to modern VR headsets.
Complete word intelligence in one call. Free tier — 50 lookups/day.