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Glite Dictionary
Picturephone

Picturephone

1 8.7
A device and phone service that lets people see and hear each other during calls
  • proper noun
  • Archaic
translation icon : Picturephone
  • In 1964, the revolutionary Picturephone was introduced, allowing people to see and hear each other during calls.

Examples

  • The Picturephone revolutionized communication in the 1960s.

  • Have you ever used a Picturephone?

  • The Picturephone was a groundbreaking invention showcased at the 1964 New York World's Fair.

  • Few people could afford a Picturephone when it was first released due to its high cost.

  • The concept behind the Picturephone paved the way for modern video calling technology.

  • The Picturephone, showcased at the World's Fair, changed the way we think about communication.

  • Many people were excited about the Picturephone after its demonstration at the 1964 New York World's Fair.

Synonyms

videophone
vsPicturephone
7 4.0

A device that lets people see and hear each other when they are far away

is the specific trademarked commercial service released by a company in the 1960s

Compounds

picturephone
  • Archaic
6.0

A phone that shows you the other person while you talk

Surface Forms

Picturephone main

Morphology

Picturephone = picture + phone (transparent) = picture + phone

The brand name is a straightforward compound of 'picture' + 'phone' meaning a telephone that transmits pictures, which learners can readily infer.

Etymology

Picturephone comes from joining picture ('a visual image') and phone ('a device for voice'). AT&T used this name in the 1960s for a phone that let people see and hear each other during a call, which is why the word means an early video-call device.