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Glite Dictionary
acoustic delay line

acoustic delay line

8.8
A device that delays electrical signals by turning them into sound waves that travel and become electrical signals again
  • noun
  • /əˈkuːstɪk dɪˈleɪ laɪn/
  • Archaic
: línea de retardo acústica
  • Early televisions sometimes incorporated an acoustic delay line for processing sound.

Examples

  • The engineer used an acoustic delay line to synchronize the signals in the circuit.

  • The acoustic delay line converts electrical signals to sound waves, allowing for controlled delays in processing.

  • Researchers tested the performance of a new material for use in acoustic delay line components.

  • The engineer installed an acoustic delay line for better audio quality.

  • Can you explain how an acoustic delay line works?

  • In modern audio systems, an acoustic delay line helps to improve sound synchronization.

  • Engineers used an acoustic delay line to ensure that the audio and visual signals were perfectly aligned.

Synonyms

delay line
vsacoustic delay line
  • Specialized
1 6.7

An electronic circuit that makes a signal arrive later by a certain amount of time

implements holding by converting signals into sound waves and back
delayer
vsacoustic delay line
  • Specialized
1 7.6

A device that delays an electrical signal by a set amount of time

achieves holding through converting to sound waves rather than pure electronic means
sonic delay line
vsacoustic delay line
  • Specialized
9.6

A device that delays a signal using the time sound takes to travel

uses electrical to sound conversion and back to hold the same signal

Surface Forms

acoustic delay line singular
acoustic delay lines plural

Morphology

acoustic + delay + line

The components 'acoustic' (relating to sound), 'delay' (a time lag) and 'line' (a channel or device) together make it reasonably inferable as a sound-based channel that produces a delay, so a B1 learner who knows the parts could grasp the general function. However, the precise technical mechanism (conversion between electrical signals and sound waves) and specialised use are domain-specific and not fully predictable from the words alone, so the term is only partially transparent.

Etymology

Acoustic delay line comes from its parts: acoustic means 'sound' and a delay line is a 'line' that makes a signal take longer. In this device an electric signal is changed into sound that travels through a tube or block and so the signal is held back for a short time, which is why the name means 'delay using sound'.