telephone

Definition

A telecommunication device (originally mechanical, and now electronic) used for two-way talking with another person (now often shortened to phone).

Etymology

First used by Alexander Graham Bell in 1876 to refer to the modern instrument, but previous devices had been given this name, which was borrowed from French téléphone. Ultimately from Ancient Greek τῆλε (têle, “afar”) + φωνή (phōnḗ, “voice, sound”).

Example Sentences

• "And since the spring of 1995, no game of telephone has ended without some Simpsons-loving smart-ass dropping “purple monkey dishwasher” into the chain."
• "In other words, Jones' career and life may have been derailed because a game of telephone went bad."