ACOUSTICS

acoustics

(noun) the study of the physical properties of sound

Source: WordNet® 3.1


Etymology

Noun

acoustics (uncountable)

See -ics regarding the treatment of such nouns as singular.

The physical quality of a space for conveying sound.

(physics) The science of sounds, teaching their nature, phenomena and laws.

Usage notes

• The science was previously divided by some writers into diacoustics, which explains the properties of sounds coming directly from (sic! Webster) the ear; and catacoustica, which treats of reflected sounds or echoes. This division is now obsolete.

Source: Wiktionary


A*cous"tics (#; 277), n. Etym: [Names of sciences in -ics, as, acoustics, mathematics, etc., are usually treated as singular. See - ics.] (Physics.)

Definition: The science of sounds, teaching their nature, phenomena, and laws. Acoustics, then, or the science of sound, is a very considerable branch of physics. Sir J. Herschel.

Note: The science is, by some writers, divided, into diacoustics, which explains the properties of sounds coming directly from the ear; and catacoustica, which treats of reflected sounds or echoes.

ACOUSTIC

A*cous"tic (#; 277), a. Etym: [F. acoustique, Gr.

Definition: Pertaining to the sense of hearing, the organs of hearing, or the science of sounds; auditory. 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.

A*cous"tic, n.

Definition: A medicine or agent to assist hearing.

Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition



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Word of the Day

18 March 2025

ODONTOGLOSSUM

(noun) any of numerous and diverse orchids of the genus Odontoglossum having racemes of few to many showy usually large flowers in many colors


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Coffee Trivia

Coffee has initially been a food – chewed, not sipped. Early African tribes consume coffee by grinding the berries together, adding some animal fat, and rolling the treats into tiny edible energy balls.

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