Episcope

/ˈɛpɪskoʊp/ noun

Definition

An optical device or projector used to display opaque images on a screen, or historically, a bishop's oversight or inspection.

Etymology

From Greek epi- (upon, over) + skopein (to look, examine). The optical instrument uses the same root meaning 'to look over or examine' that gave us the original ecclesiastical sense of bishop.

Kelly Says

The episcope projector was a classroom staple before digital projectors—it worked by shining light on an object and projecting the image, using the same 'looking down at' principle that a bishop does when overseeing a diocese.

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