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acoustics

 [uh-koo-stiks]   Origin

a·cous·tics

   [uh-koo-stiks]
noun
1.
(used with a singular verb) Physics. the branch of physics that deals with sound and sound waves.
2.
(used with a plural verb) the qualities or characteristics of a room, auditorium, stadium, etc., that determine the audibility or fidelity of sounds in it.
Origin:
1675–85; see acoustic, -ics

Related forms
hy·per·a·cous·tics, noun

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Acoustics is always a great word to know.
So is magic number. Does it mean:
the atomic number or neutron number of an exceptionally stable nuclide
a device that produces a nearly parallel, monochromatic, coherent beam of light by exciting atoms to a higher energy level and causing them to radiate
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Dictionary.com Unabridged

a·cous·tic

   [uh-koo-stik]
adjective Also, a·cous·ti·cal.
1.
pertaining to the sense or organs of hearing, to sound, or to the science of sound.
2.
(of a building material) designed for controlling sound.
3.
Music.
a.
of, pertaining to, or being a musical instrument whose sound is not electrically enhanced or modified.
b.
arranged for or made up of such instruments: an acoustic solo; an acoustic group.
noun
4.
Obsolete. a remedy for deafness or imperfect hearing.
Origin:
1595–1605; < Greek akoustikós. See acouasm, -tic

Related forms
a·cous·ti·cal·ly, adverb
non·a·cous·tic, adjective, noun
non·a·cous·ti·cal, adjective
non·a·cous·ti·cal·ly, adverb
un·a·cous·tic, adjective
EXPAND
un·a·cous·ti·cal, adjective
un·a·cous·ti·cal·ly, adverb
COLLAPSE
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2012.
Cite This Source Link To acoustics
Collins
World English Dictionary
acoustics (əˈkuːstɪks)
 
—n
1.  (functioning as singular) the scientific study of sound and sound waves
2.  (functioning as plural) the characteristics of a room, auditorium, etc, that determine the fidelity with which sound can be heard within it

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 10th Edition
2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
Cite This Source
Etymonline
Word Origin & History

acoustic
c.1600, 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). Acoustic guitar (as opposed
EXPAND
to electric) attested by 1958.

acoustics
1680s, "science of sound," from acoustic (also see -ics). Meaning "acoustic properties" of a building, etc., attested from 1885.
COLLAPSE
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
Cite This Source
American Heritage
Medical Dictionary

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.

acoustics a·cous·tics (ə-k&oomacr;'stĭks)
n.
The scientific study of sound, especially of its generation, transmission, and reception.

The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
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American Heritage
Science Dictionary
acoustics   (ə-k'stĭks)  Pronunciation Key 


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  1. (Used with a singular verb) The scientific study of sound and its transmission.

  2. (Used with a plural verb) The total effect of sound, especially as produced in an enclosed space.


The American Heritage® Science Dictionary
Copyright © 2002. Published by Houghton Mifflin. All rights reserved.
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