Acoustics

(used with a singular verb) physics. the branch of physics that deals with sound and sound waves.
(used with a plural verb) the qualities or characteristics of a room, auditorium, stadium, etc., that determine the audibility or fidelity of sounds in it.
pertaining to the sense or organs of hearing, to sound, or to the science of sound.
(of a building material) designed for controlling sound.
music.

of, relating to, or being a musical instrument whose sound is not electrically enhanced or modified.
arranged for or made up of such instruments:
an acoustic solo; an acoustic group.

obsolete. a remedy for deafness or imperfect hearing.
contemporary examples

one, with a grand main chamber dramatically illuminated by candle niches, recently shared its acoustics during a concert.
new mexico’s amazing man-made caves nina strochlic december 11, 2013

historical examples

psychology is therefore of equal importance with anatomy and acoustics as an element of vocal science.
the psychology of singing david c. taylor

it is as if the laws of light should be applied to a question in acoustics.
blackwood’s edinburgh magazine – volume 57, no. 352, february 1845 various

it was as though a grand opera-singer had strained the acoustics of a private music-room.
the early short fiction of edith wharton, part 1 (of 10) edith wharton

the acoustics of this immense and peculiarly-shaped building are most perfect.
ranching, sport and travel thomas carson

the ceiling had to be brought down, because it interfered with the laws of acoustics.
saunterings in and about london max schlesinger

when the house is full, the audience makes a difference in the acoustics.
the art of stage dancing ned wayburn

in acoustics an “echo” is a return of sound from a reflecting surface (see sound: reflection).
encyclopaedia britannica, 11th edition, volume 8, slice 10 various

the lectures on acoustics, which came late in the course, were also exceedingly popular.
lord kelvin andrew gray

he cross-fertilized the two sciences of acoustics and electricity.
the history of the telephone herbert n. c-sson

noun
(functioning as sing) the scientific study of sound and sound waves
(functioning as pl) the characteristics of a room, auditorium, etc, that determine the fidelity with which sound can be heard within it
adjective
of or related to sound, the sense of hearing, or acoustics
designed to respond to, absorb, or control sound: an acoustic tile
(of a musical instrument or recording) without electronic amplification: an acoustic b-ss, an acoustic guitar
n.

1680s, “science of sound,” from acoustic (also see -ics). meaning “acoustic properties” of a building, etc., attested from 1885.
adj.

c.1600, from french acoustique, from greek akoustikos “pertaining to hearing,” from akoustos “heard, audible,” verbal adjective from akouein “to hear,” probably from copulative prefix a- + koein “to mark, perceive, hear,” from pie -kous- “to hear,” perhaps from root -(s)keu- “to notice, observe” (see caveat). acoustic guitar (as opposed to electric) attested by 1958. related: acoustical; acoustically.

acoustics a·cous·tics (ə-kōō’stĭks)
n.
the scientific study of sound, especially of its generation, transmission, and reception.

acoustic a·cous·tic (ə-kōō’stĭk) or a·cous·ti·cal (-stĭ-kəl)
adj.
of or relating to sound, the sense of hearing, or the perception of sound.
acoustics
(ə-k’stĭks)

(used with a singular verb) the scientific study of sound and its transmission.

(used with a plural verb) the total effect of sound, especially as produced in an enclosed sp-ce.