otacousticon

English

Etymology

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

Pronunciation

• (UK) IPA^(key): /əʊtəˈkuːstɪkɒn/

Noun

otacousticon (plural otacousticons)

1. (now rare) An instrument to aid hearing, such as an ear trumpet or hearing aid.
   • 1624, Democritus Junior [pseudonym; Robert Burton], The Anatomy of Melancholy: […], 2nd edition, Oxford, Oxfordshire: Printed by John Lichfield and James Short, for Henry Cripps, →OCLC:
     , 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 […].