speakerphone
UK[ˈspiːkəfəʊn]US[ˈspiːkərfoʊn]
n
a telephone or a feature of a telephone that allows both parties to be heard without holding the receiver, often used for conference calls.
n
a loudspeaker connected to a telephone for this purpose.
Morpheme Breakdown
speaker
phone
speaker
phone
Etymology
the word 'speakerphone' is a modern compound, formed in the mid-20th century with the advent of telecommunication technology. it combines the english agent noun 'speaker', which traces back to the old english verb for speaking, with the combining form '-phone', derived from the greek word for voice or sound. the literal construction "sound-speaker instrument" perfectly captures its function: a device that projects the speaker's voice. this transparent compounding follows a long english tradition of creating clear, descriptive terms for new technological artifacts by blending familiar native and classical elements.
Analysis
Structure: speaker + phone
speaker: from middle english speker, from old english speca (speaker), from the germanic root sprekaną (to speak). functions as the agent noun indicating the thing that produces sound.
phone: shortened from telephone, from greek phōnē (sound, voice). functions as a combining form denoting an instrument for transmitting or reproducing sound.
Examples
please put the call on speakerphone so everyone in the room can hear.
the speakerphone function on my phone is not very clear.
he apologized for the background noise coming through his speakerphone.