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Glite Dictionary
speaking trumpet

speaking trumpet

9.9
A cone-shaped device that makes your voice louder and directs it
  • noun
  • /ˈspiːkɪŋ ˈtrʌmpɪt/
  • Archaic
translation icon : 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

megaphone
vsspeaking trumpet
23 3.6

A cone-shaped tube you hold to your mouth to make your voice louder

is the older mechanical cone form used before electronic amplification
bullhorn
vsspeaking trumpet
  • US
22 4.1

A portable speaker with a microphone that makes your voice louder for a crowd

is the non-electronic cone form mainly used before amplification devices
loud hailer
vsspeaking trumpet
  • UK
5.1

A small speaker you hold to make your voice louder

is a passive cone device rather than one with electronic amplification

How Loud

loudspeaker
41 2.2
bullhorn
  • US
22 4.1
megaphone
23 3.6
speaking trumpet
  • Archaic
9.9

Surface Forms

speaking trumpet singular
speaking trumpets plural

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.