otacousticon

English

Etymology

From combining form of Ancient Greek οὖς (“ear”) + ἀκουστικόν, neuter of ἀκουστικός (“acoustic”).

Pronunciation

• (UK) IPA: /əʊtəˈkuːstɪkɒn/

Noun

otacousticon (plural otacousticons)

1. (now rare) An instrument to aid hearing, such as an ear trumpet or hearing aid.
   • 1621, Robert Burton, The Anatomy of Melancholy, New York Review of Books 2001, p. 69:

     [...] Gyges' invisible ring, or some rare perspective glass, or otacousticon, which would so multiply species that a man might hear and see all at once [...].