high-decibel
UK[ˌhaɪ ˈdesɪbəl]US[ˌhaɪ ˈdesɪbəl]
adj
involving or characterized by a very high level of sound or noise
adj
(figuratively) very loud, forceful, or emphatic in manner
Morpheme Breakdown
high
deci
bel
high
great in vertical extent or intensity
deci
tenth
bel
unit of sound intensity
Etymology
the compound 'high-decibel' is a modern formation that combines the native english adjective 'high', denoting a great degree, with the scientific unit 'decibel'. the term 'decibel' itself is a 20th-century coinage, blending the latin prefix 'deci-' (tenth) with 'bel', a unit named in honor of inventor alexander graham bell. literally, a decibel is one-tenth of a bel, a logarithmic unit used to measure sound intensity. therefore, 'high-decibel' directly and logically translates to describing a sound or, by figurative extension, a manner of expression that registers at a high level on this scale of loudness.
Analysis
Structure: high (great in vertical extent or intensity) + deci (tenth) + bel (unit of sound intensity)
high: from old english hēah, of germanic origin; meaning great in vertical extent or intensity.
deci: from latin decimus, meaning tenth; a combining form used in the metric system.
bel: from the name of alexander graham bell; a unit for measuring the intensity of sound.
Examples
the protest turned into a high-decibel confrontation outside the government building.
she avoided high-decibel environments like nightclubs to protect her hearing.
the debate was more of a high-decibel shouting match than a reasoned discussion.