handset
|hand-set|
B1
/ˈhændˌsɛt/
telephone receiver
Etymology
Etymology Information
'handset' originates from the combination of 'hand' and 'set', where 'hand' refers to the part of the body and 'set' refers to a collection of items.
Historical Evolution
'handset' was formed in the 20th century as telephones became more common, combining 'hand' and 'set' to describe the part of the phone held in the hand.
Meaning Changes
Initially, it referred specifically to the part of a telephone held in the hand, and this meaning has largely remained the same in modern usage.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
a part of a telephone that is held in the hand and contains both the receiver and the transmitter.
She picked up the handset to make a call.
Synonyms
Last updated: 2025/03/06 05:06