Vibrometer

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. A device that quantifies the magnitude and frequency of oscillatory motion in various structures to study their dynamic characteristics
2. An apparatus employed to evaluate the intensity and periodicity of vibrations in multiple materials for scientific or engineering purposes
3. A tool used for measuring the amplitude and frequency of vibrations in different mediums to assess their physical properties

Etymology: Vibrometer is a plain technical coinage: "vibro-", from the Latin "vibrare" meaning to shake or set in rapid motion, joined to "-meter", from Greek "metron" meaning measure. Put together, the word names an instrument that measures vibration. Its pieces are old, but the combination is modern and was built to describe a specific kind of measuring device rather than to name anything in ordinary speech. The "-meter" ending is what gives the word its logic. Other instruments follow the same pattern, such as the thermometer for heat and the barometer for pressure, so a vibrometer is simply the member of that family that measures shaking. The first element, "vibro-", works as a combining form, which is why it stands at the front of the word and attaches to the measuring root.