acoustics
(əˈkuː-, əˈkaʊstɪks)
[pl. of acoustic a. used as n., on analogy of mathematics, politics, etc.; see -ics. Usually treated as a singular.]
1. The science of sound, and of the phenomena of hearing.
| 1683 in Phil. Trans. XIV. 473 Hearing may be divided into Direct, Refracted and Reflex'd, which are yet nameless unless we call them Acousticks, Diacousticks, Catacousticks. 1692 Wood Ath. Oxon. IV. 499 (1820) An introductory Essay to the Doctrine of Sounds containing Some Proposals for the Improvement of Acoustics. 1805 Carlisle in Phil. Trans. XCV. 198 A more intimate knowledge of the structure of the organs of hearing may illustrate the doctrines of acoustics. 1810 Coleridge Friend iii. 89 (1867) Which may easily impose on the soundest judgements, uninstructed in the optics and acoustics of the inner sense. 1830 Sir J. Herschel Nat. Phil. 248 Acoustics, then, or the science of sound, is a very considerable branch of physics. 1833 Brewster Nat. Magic i. 3 The science of Acoustics furnished the ancient sorcerers with some of their best deceptions. |
2. Also pl. of acoustic n. an acoustic medicine.
3. The acoustic properties (of a building, etc.).
| 1885 H. W. Lucy in Eng. Illustr. Mag. Dec. 193/2 Whilst the vast majority of the peers are practically inaudible in the press gallery, I cannot call to mind any individual case in which the public interest materially suffers owing to the faulty acoustics of the chamber. 1895 D. F. Tovey Let. in M. Grierson D. F. Tovey (1952) iii. 37 The execrable acoustics of the Sheldonian. |