speaking-trumpet
(Also unhyphened.)
[speaking vbl. n. 5 b.]
A kind of trumpet (chiefly used at sea), so contrived as to carry the voice to a great distance, or to cause it to be heard above loud noises.
| 1671 Sir S. Morland Tuba Stentoro-phonica Title-p., The instruments (or Speaking-Trumpets) of all sizes [etc.]. 1671 Phil. Trans. VI. 3056 An Account of the Speaking Trumpet, as it hath been contrived and published by Sir Sam. Moreland Knight and Baronet. 1680 Lond. Gaz. No. 1520/1 The Twelfth at night, Captain St. Johns, by the help of the Speaking Trumpet, called to us. 1709 Ibid. No. 4506/2 They were told (by a Speaking Trumpet from the Castle) that the Enemy had taken the Town. 1773 Goldsm. Stoops to Conq. i. i, He sometimes whoops like a speaking trumpet. 1824 Miss Mitford Village Ser. i. (1863) 127 His voice was loud enough to have hailed a ship at sea without the assistance of a speaking-trumpet. 1887 W. P. Frith Autobiogr. I. v. 60 A very old gentleman..with a speaking-trumpet under his arm. |
| fig. and transf. 1710 Palmer Prov. 145 This is performing the contemptible office of a speaking-trumpet. 1823 Scott Quentin D. xxx, Reason..borrows the speaking-trumpet of Necessity, and her voice becomes lordly and imperative. |