acoustic

• POS: Adjective
• HYPHEN: a=cous=tic

CIDE DICTIONARY

acoustic, a. [F. acoustique, Gr. relating to hearing, fr. to hear.].

 Pertaining to the sense of hearing, the organs of hearing, or the science of sounds; auditory.  [1913 Webster]

Acoustic duct, the auditory duct, or external passage of the ear. -- Acoustic telegraph, a telegraph making audible signals; a telephone. -- Acoustic vessels, brazen tubes or vessels, shaped like a bell, used in ancient theaters to propel the voices of the actors, so as to render them audible to a great distance.

acoustic, n. 

 A medicine or agent to assist hearing.  [1913 Webster]

OXFORD DICTIONARY

acoustic, adj. & n.
--adj.
1 relating to sound or the sense of hearing.
2 (of a musical instrument, gramophone, or recording) not having electrical amplification (acoustic guitar).
3 (of building materials) used for soundproofing or modifying sound.
4 Mil. (of a mine) that can be exploded by sound waves transmitted under water.
--n.
1 (usu. in pl.) the properties or qualities (esp. of a room or hall etc.) in transmitting sound (good acoustics; a poor acoustic).
2 (in pl.; usu. treated as sing.) the science of sound (acoustics is not widely taught).

Idiom

acoustic coupler Computing a modem which converts digital signals into audible signals and vice versa, so that the former can be transmitted and received over telephone lines.

Derivative

acoustical adj. acoustically adv.

Etymology

Gk akoustikos f. akouo hear

THESAURUS

acoustic

audible, audile, audio, auditory, aural, auricular, hearing, hypersonic, otic, otological, otopathic, otoscopic, phonic, sonic, subsonic, supersonic, transonic, transsonic, ultrasonic

ROGET THESAURUS

acoustic

Hearing

N hearing, audition, auscultation, eavesdropping, audibility, acute ear, nice ear, delicate ear, quick ear, sharp ear, correct ear, musical ear, ear for music, ear, auricle, lug, acoustic organs, auditory apparatus, eardrum, tympanum, tympanic membrane, ear trumpet, speaking trumpet, hearing aid, stethoscope, earshot, hearing distance, hearing, hearing range, sound, carrying distance, telephone, phone, telephone booth, intercom, house phone, radiotelephone, radiophone, wireless, wireless telephone, mobile telephone, car radio, police radio, two-way radio, walkie-talkie, handie-talkie, citizen's band, CB, amateur radio, ham radio, short-wave radio, police band, ship-to-shore radio, airplane radio, control tower communication, (communication), electronic devices, phonograph, gramophone, megaphone, phonorganon, microphone, directional microphone, mike, hand mike, lapel microphone, phonograph needle, stylus, diamond stylus, pickup, reading head (electronic devices), hearer, auditor, listener, eavesdropper, listener-in, auditory, audience, otology, otorhinolaryngology, otologist, otorhinolaryngologist, hearing, auditory, auricular, acoustic, phonic, arrectis auribus, Int, hark, hark ye!, hear!, list, listen!, O yes!, Oyez!, listen up, listen here!, hear ye!, attention!, achtung.