telephone
Definitions
A device for talking with someone at a distance over wires or a network
电话（机）
To call someone on the telephone (formal)
打电话（给某人，较正式）
Root Breakdown
Root-derivedtele- (far) + phōnē (sound/voice) = 'voice from far away.' Coined in the 19th century for the new machine that carried a human voice across great distances. The prefix tells you the distance; the root tells you what's being carried — sound.
Root phon still carries 13 more wordsUsage Guide
In modern everyday speech, 'phone' has almost entirely replaced 'telephone.' 'Telephone' now sounds formal, technical, or old-fashioned — fine in writing (telephone number, telephone line) but stiff in casual conversation, where you'd say 'phone' or 'call.'
Example Sentences
- 1.
In 1876 Bell made the first telephone call in history.
- 2.
Please give me your telephone number before you leave.
- 3.
She telephoned the office to say she'd be late.