speaking trumpet
- noun
- /ˈspiːkɪŋ ˈtrʌmpɪt/
- Archaic
:
trumpeta de voz
- Before electronic amplification, performers used a speaking trumpet to address large crowds.
Examples
-
He found an old speaking trumpet in the ship's storage room, a reminder of earlier days.
-
The speaking trumpet was a common tool for orators.
-
The captain shouted orders through a speaking trumpet so the crew could hear over the wind.
-
Can you hand me the speaking trumpet?
-
The town crier used a speaking trumpet to announce the news to the gathered crowd.
-
Before loudspeakers were invented, a speaking trumpet was often used in theaters to project the actor's voice.
-
To be heard over the noise of the market, she grabbed her speaking trumpet and called out for attention.
Synonyms
23
3.6
A cone-shaped tube you hold to your mouth to make your voice louder
22
4.1
A portable speaker with a microphone that makes your voice louder for a crowd
A small speaker you hold to make your voice louder
How Loud
4
3.3
41
2.2
- US
22
4.1
23
3.6
- Archaic
Surface Forms
Morphology
speaking + trumpet
The meaning is directly compositional: 'speaking' (related to voice/speaking) + 'trumpet' (a horn-like device) yields a horn/cone used for speaking to amplify and direct the voice. This noun phrase follows a transparent modifier + noun pattern found cross-linguistically, so a B1 learner who knows both words can readily infer the device's function and form.
Etymology
The noun speaking trumpet comes from the idea of a horn you put to your mouth: speaking means 'to make your voice heard' and trumpet means 'a horn with a wide, flared end'. The cone shape makes your voice louder and sends it in one direction, so the name describes a simple device used to make your voice carry farther.