The word "microphone" (maɪkrəfəʊn) is spelled according to English phonetics. The "mi" sound is pronounced as "maɪ," while "cro" sounds like "krəʊ." The "phone" is pronounced as "fəʊn." The "o" in "cro" is pronounced differently from the "o" in "phone," as "krəʊ" is a diphthong while "fəʊn" is a monophthong. The spelling of "microphone" reflects the way the word is pronounced, and the IPA transcription helps to understand the specific sounds that make up the word.
A microphone is a device that converts sound waves into electrical signals, allowing for the amplification, recording, or transmission of sound. It is an instrument commonly used in audio recording studios, live performances, television and radio broadcasting, and various other forms of communication and entertainment.
A typical microphone consists of three main components: a diaphragm, a coil, and a magnet. The diaphragm serves as the sound receptor, vibrating in response to sound waves. As the diaphragm moves, it causes the attached coil to move, generating electrical signals. These signals are then conveyed to an amplifier or recording device, where they can be processed, amplified, or stored for later use.
Microphones come in various types and designs, each with its own specific applications and characteristics. Some of the most commonly used microphone types include dynamic microphones, condenser microphones, ribbon microphones, and lavalier microphones. Each type is suitable for different environments and sound sources, providing different levels of sensitivity, frequency response, and directionality.
In summary, a microphone is an essential device used to capture and convert sound waves into electrical signals. It enables the amplification, recording, and transmission of sound for a variety of purposes, playing a crucial role in the fields of entertainment, communication, and audio recording technology.
An instrument for magnifying sounds.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
An instrument for making low sounds more distinctly audible.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.
The word microphone is derived from two Greek words - micros meaning small and phone meaning voice or sound. Therefore, microphone essentially means small sound or small voice.