Echometer

/ɛˈkɑːmɪtər/ noun

Definition

An instrument that measures the distance to an object by timing how long an echo takes to return.

Etymology

From 'echo' + '-meter' (Greek 'metron,' meaning 'measure'). This technical instrument emerged with early sonar and radar technology in the 20th century.

Kelly Says

Echometers were the grandfathers of modern ultrasound machines—the same principle that measures fish depths in lakes now lets doctors see growing babies inside mothers, proving how one discovery spawns entirely new medical frontiers.

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