spike microphone
- noun
- /spaɪk ˈmaɪkrəˌfoʊn/
- Specialized
:
micrófono de contacto
- The detective used a spike microphone to eavesdrop on the conversation from the adjacent room.
Examples
-
She installed a spike microphone to monitor sounds through the solid concrete wall.
-
Security teams sometimes deploy a spike microphone during covert investigations.
-
The detective used a spike microphone to gather evidence.
-
Can you pass me the spike microphone?
-
Security teams sometimes deploy a spike microphone during covert investigations.
-
She installed a spike microphone to monitor sounds through the solid concrete wall.
-
The detective used a spike microphone to eavesdrop on the conversation from the adjacent room.
Synonyms
194
3.5
A small object that changes sound into electricity for recording or making sound louder
A small pointed microphone that you press against a wall to hear sounds in the next room
A small device that touches an object to record its vibrations
A microphone that picks up sound when it touches an object like a guitar or window
How Sensitive
- Specialized
- Specialized
- Specialized
- Specialized
1
4.1
- Specialized
Surface Forms
Morphology
The compound literally combines 'spike' (a sharp projection) and 'microphone' (sound-capturing device), so a B1 learner can infer it is a microphone with a pointed/penetrating form or attachment. However, the specific technical function—being a contact microphone for listening through walls or for surveillance—is specialized and not directly predictable from the constituents alone, making the meaning only partially transparent.
Etymology
Spike microphone: The compound noun spike microphone comes from the image of a small, sharp spike pressed against a wall so the microphone can pick up sounds on the other side. So, the name now means a device used 'to listen through walls'.