detectograph en · NOUN
Etymology
From detect + -o- + -graph. Possibly originally a trademark.
Meanings
-
An early audio recording device used in wiretaps.
There were no stenographers and no detectographs in those days, and there is no record of this interview, fraught with such tremendous benefit to Germany and all Europe[…]
1914, United States Congress, Congressional edition:[…]it is taken for granted that the discussions are not significant, otherwise we might consider the advisability of capturing these golden words by the installation of detectographs throughout the club house.
1915, Journal of the Engineers' Society of Pennsylvania, volume 7:
Forms
| Spelling | Features | Labels | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| detectographs | Number=Plur | lexicographic |