Acoustic definition | Dictionary.com

Of or relating to sound, the sense of hearing, or the science of sound.
1. Designed to carry sound or to aid in hearing.
2. Designed to absorb or control sound: acoustic tile.
3. Of or being an instrument that does not produce or enhance sound electronically: an acoustic guitar; an acoustic bass.
4. Being a performance that features such instruments: opened the show with an acoustic set.
Music
1. Of or being an instrument that does not produce or enhance sound electronically: an acoustic guitar; an acoustic bass.
2. Being a performance that features such instruments: opened the show with an acoustic set.

n. Music
An acoustic instrument.

[Greek akoustikos, pertaining to hearing, from akouein, to hear; see kous- in Indo-European roots.]

a·cous'ti·cal·ly adv.

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The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
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Online Etymology Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This
acoustic

1605, from Fr. acoustique, from Gk. akoustikos "pertaining to hearing," from akoustos "heard, audible," from akouein "to hear," from copulative prefix a- + koein "to mark, perceive, hear," from PIE base *(s)keu- "to notice, observe" (see caveat). Acoustics is attested from 1683. Acoustic guitars (as opposed to electric) first attested 1966.

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WordNet - Cite This Source - Share This

acoustic
adjective
1.	of or relating to the science of acoustics; "acoustic properties of a hall"
noun
1.	a remedy for hearing loss or deafness

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American Heritage Stedman's Medical Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This

acoustic a·cous·tic (ə-k&oomacr;'stĭk) or a·cous·ti·cal (-stĭ-kəl)
adj.
Of or relating to sound, the sense of hearing, or the perception of sound.

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Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This

Acoustic

A*cous"tic\ (#; 277), a. [F. acoustique, Gr. ? relating to hearing, fr. ? to hear.] Pertaining to the sense of hearing, the organs of hearing, or the science of sounds; auditory.

Acoustic duct, the auditory duct, or external passage of the ear.

Acoustic telegraph, a telegraph making audible signals; a telephone.

Acoustic vessels, brazen tubes or vessels, shaped like a bell, used in ancient theaters to propel the voices of the actors, so as to render them audible to a great distance.

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Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This

Acoustic

A*cous"tic\, n. A medicine or agent to assist hearing.

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