noun ·Rare ·Advanced level

Definitions

Noun

1. 1
   An early device for voice transmission, in which the contact of variable resistance is formed between a fixed piece of platinum and a small carbon lozenge attached to a plate of cork suspended by two springs on the upper part. historical

Etymology

From pan- + telephone.

Data sourced from Wiktionary, WordNet, CMU, and other open linguistic databases. Updated March 2026.