Echo

²Echo

Definition of ECHO

—a communications code word for the letter e

First Known Use of ECHO

1952

Other Alphabet Terms

cuneiform, linear, minuscule, pictograph, rune, symbology, wedge

¹echo

noun \ˈe-(ˌ)kō\

plural ech·oes also echos

Definition of ECHO

1

a : the repetition of a sound caused by reflection of sound waves

b : the sound due to such reflection

2

a : a repetition or imitation of another : reflection

b : repercussion, result

c : trace, vestige

d : response

3

: one who closely imitates or repeats another's words, ideas, or acts

4

: a soft repetition of a musical phrase

5

a : the repetition of a received radio signal due especially to reflection of part of the wave from an ionized layer of the atmosphere

b (1) : the reflection of transmitted radar signals by an object (2) : the visual indication of this reflection on a radarscope

— echo·ey \ˈe-ˌkō-ē\ adjective

Examples of ECHO

1. We shouted into the canyon and listened to the echo of our voices.
2. the echo of footsteps in the hall
3. His work contains echoes of older and greater poets.
4. The book's title is an echo of a line from an old folk song.
5. The crime is a chilling echo of the murders that shocked the city two years ago.

Origin of ECHO

Middle English ecco, from Middle French & Latin; Middle French echo, from Latin, from Greek ēchō; akin to Latin vagire to wail, Greek ēchē sound

First Known Use: 14th century

Related to ECHO

Synonyms

aper, copyist, copycat, follower, imitator, rubber stamp, wannabe (also wannabee)

Related Words

parrot; ape, emulator, impersonator, impressionist, mimic

Other Physics Terms

amplitude, centrifugal, centripetal, convection, gradient, hysteresis, kinetic, lase, quantum

²echo

verb

ech·oedecho·ing \ˈe-(ˌ)kō-iŋ, ˈe-kə-wiŋ\

Definition of ECHO

intransitive verb

1

: to resound with echoes

2

: to produce an echo

transitive verb

1

a : repeat, imitate <children echoing their teacher's words>

b : to restate in support or agreement <his successor echoed his opinion>

c : to be reminiscent of : evoke <music that echoes an earlier time>

2

: to send back (a sound) by the reflection of sound waves

Examples of ECHO

1. The music echoed through the church.
2. Laughter echoed across the lake.
3. Their voices echoed in the hall.
4. His warnings are echoed by many other experts in the field.
5. “It's in Rome.” “In Rome?” she echoed.
6. Others have echoed her criticisms.
7. The book's title echoes a line from an old folk song.
8. The crime echoes last year's shocking murders.

First Known Use of ECHO

1596

Related to ECHO

Synonyms

reverberate, reecho, resonate, resound, sound

Related Words

ring, roll

Near Antonyms

damp, dampen, deaden, dull, quiet

Rhymes with ECHO

secco

¹Echo

noun

Definition of ECHO

: a nymph in Greek mythology who pines away for love of Narcissus until nothing is left of her but her voice

Origin of ECHO

Greek Ēchō

First Known Use: 1595

Other Mythology and Folklore Terms

elysian, fay, muse, nimbus, phoenix

Echo

noun    (Concise Encyclopedia)

In Greek mythology, a mountain nymph transformed into a disembodied voice. According to Ovid, her chatter distracted Hera from the infidelities of Zeus, and the goddess punished her by depriving her of independent speech, rendering her able only to repeat the last words spoken by another. When Narcissus failed to requite her love, she faded away into a voice only.