Thread: Word Of The Day
View Single Post
Old 03-04-2010, 07:34 PM   #32
Seashore
Avalon Senior Member
 
Join Date: Nov 2008
Posts: 3,564
Default Re: Word Of The Day

kaleidoscope

ka·lei·do·scope

1. A tube-shaped optical instrument that is rotated to produce a succession of symmetrical designs by means of mirrors reflecting the constantly changing patterns made by bits of colored glass at one end of the tube.
2. A constantly changing set of colors.
3. A series of changing phases or events: a kaleidoscope of illusions.

[1817, lit. "observer of beautiful forms," coined by its inventor, Sir David Brewster (1781-1868), from Gk. kalos "beautiful" + eidos "shape" (see -oid) + -scope, on model of telescope, etc. Figurative meaning "constantly changing pattern" is first attested 1819 in Lord Byron, whose publisher had sent him one.]



You can go into Mark Twain's material and prove anything you want. He was against war. He was for war. He was against rich people and he was for them. He was a kaleidoscope."

~Hal Holbrook


Seashore is offline   Reply With Quote