See Also: polyphone(dictionary)

polyphone (iou)



polyphone noun. . M17.
[from Greek poluphonos having many tones, formed as POLY- + phone voice, sound. See also POLYPHANT noun1.]
Music (now Hist.).
a. = POLYPHANT noun1. M17.
b. A clockwork or hand-operated musical box playing a tune when the corresponding perforated disc is inserted. E20.
Philology. A written character having more than one phonetic value; a letter or other symbol which stands for different sounds. L19.