noise-reduction
UK[ˈnɔɪz rɪˌdʌkʃn]US[ˈnɔɪz rɪˌdʌkʃn]
n
the process or technology of making unwanted sound less loud or intrusive.
n
a feature or function in audio equipment that minimizes background noise.
Morpheme Breakdown
noise
reduction
noise
sound
reduction
act of making less
Etymology
the compound 'noise-reduction' is a modern technical term formed from two well-established english words. 'noise' entered english via old french from latin 'nausea', which originally referred to seasickness—a feeling of discomfort—and later generalized to any unpleasant or disruptive sound. 'reduction' comes from the latin 'reducere', meaning 'to lead back' or 'to bring down'. when combined, the term literally denotes the action of leading back or diminishing disruptive sound, a concept that evolved with technology to describe electronic and acoustic methods for minimizing unwanted audio interference.
Analysis
Structure: noise (sound) + reduction (act of making less)
noise (from old french, ultimately from latin nausea meaning 'seasickness, discomfort', functioning as the object or target in the compound); reduction (from latin reductionem, from re- 'back' + ducere 'to lead', functioning as the action or process in the compound).
Examples
this headphones feature active noise-reduction for a clearer listening experience.
the software includes advanced noise-reduction algorithms for cleaning up the audio recording.
engineers are constantly improving noise-reduction techniques in aircraft design.