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telephone

The origin and history of telephone.

Etymology

Built from tele- ("far off") and -phone ("sound"), modelled on the German word Telephon. The device itself was popularised from 1876 by Alexander Graham Bell.

Origin: German · First attested 1876

Class of 1876

telephone first entered the language around 1876.

See the full Class of 1876 →
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Etymology: FreeDict original editorial.