tannoy
tannoy Lexical Profile
tannoy Game Scores & Validity
• noun
British A type of public address system or loudspeaker network used for making announcements in public buildings, train stations, or outdoor venues.
"A crackling voice came over the tannoy to announce that the afternoon train to London was delayed."
• verb
British To broadcast an announcement or summon someone using a public address system.
"The receptionist offered to tannoy the warehouse floor to see if the manager was still on site."
Word Nuance & Usage
Although originally a registered trademark for a specific audio equipment company, 'tannoy' is widely used in British English as a generic noun for any public address system.
Word Origin & Etymology
Coined in the 1920s as a proprietary trade name formed as a portmanteau of 'tantalum' and 'alloy', referring to the materials used in the rectifiers manufactured by the company.