sousaphone
UK[ˈsuːzəfəʊn]US[ˈsuːzəfoʊn]
n
a large brass musical instrument of the tuba family, with a wide bell that faces forward over the player's shoulder, used especially in marching bands.
Morpheme Breakdown
sousa
phone
sousa
proper name
phone
sound
Etymology
the word is a modern eponym, coined in the early 20th century by combining the surname of the famous american bandmaster and composer john philip sousa with the greek-derived combining form "-phone," meaning sound or voice. sousa helped conceptualize the need for a more practical marching tuba, and the instrument was initially built according to his specifications. the term thus follows a common pattern in english for naming inventions after their originators, where the "-phone" element directly indicates its function as a sound-producing instrument. the literal construction translates to "sousa's sound," memorializing his contribution to its development.
Analysis
Structure: sousa (proper name) + phone (sound)
sousa: origin: modern english (proper name). functional role: eponymous root, denoting the inventor, john philip sousa.
phone: origin: greek (phōnē). functional role: combining form meaning "sound" or "voice".
Examples
the marching band's deep, resonant bass line was anchored by the powerful sound of the sousaphone.
the musician hoisted the heavy sousaphone onto his shoulder before the parade began.
unlike a traditional tuba, the sousaphone is designed so the bell projects sound forward over the player's head.