ETYM Greek strephein to twist or whirl + -scope.
A flashing light synchronized with the periodic movement of an object makes it appear stationary.
Instrument for studying motion using flashes of light.
Instrument for studying periodic motion by illuminating object with flashes at same frequency as that of its motion.
Instrument for studying continuous periodic motion by using light flashing at the same frequency as that of the motion; for example, rotating machinery can be optically “stopped” by illuminating it with a stroboscope flashing at the exact rate of rotation.