How Do You Spell ROTARY TELEPHONE?

Pronunciation: [ɹˈə͡ʊtəɹi tˈɛlɪfˌə͡ʊn] (IPA)

The spelling of "rotary telephone" in IPA phonetic transcription is /ˈroʊtəri ˈtɛləfoʊn/. The word "rotary" is pronounced with stress on the first syllable- /ˈroʊtəri/- and the /t/ sound is pronounced like a /d/ sound. The word "telephone" is pronounced with stress on the second syllable- /ˈtɛləfoʊn/- and the /ph/ sound is pronounced like a /f/ sound. The spelling of this word accurately reflects its pronunciation, which is important for effective communication in speech and writing.

ROTARY TELEPHONE Meaning and Definition

1. A rotary telephone is a type of telephone device that was commonly used during the 20th century. It is characterized by a rotating dial, which enables users to input numbers by moving their finger along the circular dial and selecting the desired digit.

   The main component of a rotary telephone is the dial, which consists of a circular disk with holes corresponding to the numbers 1 through 0. As the user rotates the dial, it generates electrical pulses that are then transmitted to the telephone exchange, indicating the chosen number. The dial also incorporates a spring mechanism that rotates the disk back to its original position after each number, ready for the next selection.

   Rotary telephones typically have a fixed handset, comprising a receiver or earpiece for listening to the caller and a microphone for transmitting the user's voice. The telephone can be connected to a landline telephone network via a cord that is usually attached to the base of the phone.

   Although rotary telephones are no longer widely used today, they played a significant role in the development of telecommunications and were a familiar fixture in households and businesses for several decades. Their mechanical design and operation make them iconic symbols of the past, showcasing the progress made in communications technology over time.

Etymology of ROTARY TELEPHONE

The word "rotary telephone" comes from the combination of two terms: "rotary" and "telephone".

The term "telephone" is derived from the Greek words "tele", meaning "far", and "phone", meaning "sound" or "voice". It was coined by Alexander Graham Bell, the inventor of the telephone, to describe his device that transmitted sound over long distances.

The term "rotary" refers to the circular dial mechanism used in early telephones. Rotary phones were equipped with a rotating disc or dial that had numbered holes or slots corresponding to the digits on the telephone keypad (0-9). By rotating the dial to the desired number and then releasing it, a series of pulses were transmitted to the telephone exchange, signaling the desired telephone connection.