‖ venˈtriloquus Obs.
Usu. in pl. ventriloqui.
[L., f. ventri-, venter belly + loquī to speak, after Gr. ἐγγαστρίµῡθος. Cf. ventriloque.]
A ventriloquist (esp. in the original sense).
The fem. ventriloqua (pl. -loquæ) is employed by R. Scot Discov. Witchcr. (1584) vii. i. 126 and xiii. 150.
| 1644 Digby Nat. Bodies xxviii. §2. 251 They that are called ventriloqui, do persuade ignorant people that the Diuell speaketh from within them deepe in their belly. 1667 Phil. Trans. II. 603 How by a peculiar use of the Epiglottis, one may come to speak inwardly, as do the Ventriloqui. 1706 Hearne Collect. (O.H.S.) I. 306 Two or three pretty stories..of Ventriloqui, or those that speak in their bellies. 1748 Hartley Observ. Man i. ii. §5. 228 We may see how Ventriloqui, or Persons that speak in their Throats, without moving their Lips, impose upon the Audience. 1762 Ann. Reg. i. 143/2 The known faculty many people called Ventriloqui have had of uttering strange noises [etc.]. |