a|cous|tics

a|cous|tics
a|cous|tics «uh KOOS tihks, -KOWS-», noun (plural).
1. the structural features of an auditorium, hall, or room, that determine how well sounds can be heard or transmitted in it; acoustic qualities: »

The acoustics will be particularly poor, as they invariably are in new auditoriums (Norman Mailer).

2. the science of sound.
Usage Acoustics, meaning acoustic qualities (def. 1), is plural in form and in use: »

The acoustics were so good that people in the last row could hear the speaker well.

Acoustics, meaning the science of sound (def. 2), is plural in form and singular in use: »

Acoustics is taught in some colleges.


Useful english dictionary. 2012.

Игры ⚽ Поможем написать курсовую

Look at other dictionaries:

  • bio|a|cous|tics — «BY oh uh KOOS tihks», noun. the science of sound production and perception in living organisms, especially animal communication: »Bioacoustics researchers used buoys in the harbor to listen to the sounds of whales …   Useful english dictionary

  • cat|a|cous|tics — «KAT uh KOOS tihks, KOWS », noun. the science of reflected sound; cataphonics. ╂[< cat + acoustics] …   Useful english dictionary

  • di|a|cous|tics — «DY uh KOOS tihks, KOWS », noun. the consideration of the properties of sound refracted by passing through media of different density …   Useful english dictionary

  • e|lec|tro|a|cous|tics — «ih LEHK troh uh KOOS tihks, KOWS », noun. the science that deals with sound in its relationship to electricity …   Useful english dictionary

  • psy|cho|a|cous|tics — «SY koh uh KOOS tihks, KOWS », noun. the branch of acoustics that deals with the mental and auditory aspects of sound communication …   Useful english dictionary

  • bioacoustics — bi•o•a•cous•tics [[t]ˌbaɪ oʊ əˈku stɪks[/t]] esp. brit. [[t] əˈkaʊ [/t]] n. (used with a sing. v.) phl a science dealing with the sounds produced by or affecting living organisms • Etymology: 1955–60 bi o•a•cous′ti•cal, adj …   From formal English to slang

  • Acoustics — A*cous tics (#; 277), n. [Names of sciences in ics, as, acoustics, mathematics, etc., are usually treated as singular. See { ics}.] (Physics.) The science of sounds, teaching their nature, phenomena, and laws. [1913 Webster] Acoustics, then, or… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Diacoustics — Di a*cous tics, n. [Cf. F. diacoustique.] That branch of natural philosophy which treats of the properties of sound as affected by passing through different mediums; called also {diaphonics}. See the Note under {Acoustics} …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • diaphonics — Diacoustics Di a*cous tics, n. [Cf. F. diacoustique.] That branch of natural philosophy which treats of the properties of sound as affected by passing through different mediums; called also {diaphonics}. See the Note under {Acoustics} …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Polyacoustics — Pol y*a*cous tics, n. The art of multiplying or magnifying sounds. [1913 Webster] …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

Share the article and excerpts

Direct link
Do a right-click on the link above
and select “Copy Link”