echoic
/e'kouik/
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
- Adjective:
- Resembling or characteristic of an echo: Having the quality of repeating or reflecting sound, similar to an echo.
- (Of words) Imitative of natural sounds: Describing words that are formed to imitate the sound associated with the thing or action they refer to; onomatopoeic.
Usage Examples
- Adjective:
- The canyon had a distinctly echoic quality, making every shout return.
- "Buzz" and "hiss" are echoic words because they sound like the noises they describe.
Advanced Usage
- Linguistics: In linguistic studies, 'echoic' is used to classify words that are phonetically imitative of their referents.
- The study focused on the echoic origins of many verbs for animal sounds.
- Acoustics: Can describe environments or materials that produce echo-like effects.
- The empty hall was too echoic for clear recording.
Variants and Related Words
- Echo (n/v): The reflection of sound; to repeat a sound.
- We heard an echo. His words echoed in the room.
- Onomatopoeic (adj): (Often synonymous in the linguistic sense) Forming words by imitation of sound.
- "Sizzle" is an onomatopoeic word.
Synonyms
- Imitative: Following a model or pattern, especially of sound.
- Onomatopoeic: (Specifically for words) Formed by imitation of a sound.
- Resonant: Deep, clear, and continuing to sound or ring.
Antonyms
- Non-imitative: Not formed by imitation.
- Arbitrary: (In linguistics, regarding the sign) Based on random choice or convention, not on a natural relationship.
Related Phrases/Idioms
- Echoic memory: (Cognitive psychology) A very brief sensory memory for auditory stimuli.
- The concept of echoic memory explains how we briefly retain sounds after hearing them.
Adjective
- like or characteristic of an echo
- (of words) formed in imitation of a natural sound
- onomatopoeic words are imitative of noises
- it was independently developed in more than one place as an onomatopoetic term- Harry Hoijer