ear-trumpet
Definition
- Noun:
- A listening device: "ear-trumpet" refers to a conical or trumpet-shaped device that was historically used by people with hearing loss to amplify sound and direct it into the ear.
Usage Examples
- Noun:
- The elderly gentleman held an ear-trumpet to his ear to hear the conversation better. (A device used to amplify sound for hearing.)
- In the museum, there was an antique ear-trumpet displayed as a piece of medical history. (An old-fashioned hearing aid.)
Advanced Usage
"to use an ear-trumpet": to employ this device for hearing assistance.
- She used an ear-trumpet during the lecture to catch every word. (She relied on the device to hear clearly.)
"ear-trumpet as a symbol": often used metaphorically to represent outdated or primitive hearing aids.
- The cartoon character held a comically large ear-trumpet, symbolizing his deafness. (A visual joke about hearing difficulty.)
Variants and Related Words
- Ear trumpet (n): a variant spelling, often written as two words.
- He cleaned his ear trumpet carefully before the meeting. (The same device.)
- Trumpet (n): a brass instrument, but in this compound, it refers to the shape.
- The ear-trumpet was shaped like a small trumpet. (The device's design mimics a musical instrument.)
Synonyms
- Hearing trumpet: a similar device used for hearing assistance.
- Speaking trumpet: a device for directing the voice, but sometimes confused with ear-trumpet.
Phrasal Verbs
Related Idioms