echo

I. noun (plural echoes; also echos) Etymology: Middle English ecco, from Middle French & Latin; Middle French echo, from Latin, from Greek ēchō; akin to Latin vagire to wail, Greek ēchē sound Date: 14th century 1. a. the repetition of a sound caused by reflection of sound waves b. the sound due to such reflection 2. a. a repetition or imitation of another ; reflection b. repercussion, result c. trace, vestige d. response 3. one who closely imitates or repeats another's words, ideas, or acts 4. a soft repetition of a musical phrase 5. a. the repetition of a received radio signal due especially to reflection of part of the wave from an ionized layer of the atmosphere b. (1) the reflection of transmitted radar signals by an object (2) the visual indication of this reflection on a radarscope • echoey adjective II. verb (echoed; echoing) Date: 1596 intransitive verb 1. to resound with echoes 2. to produce an echo transitive verb 1. a. repeat, imitate <

children echoing their teacher's words

> b. to restate in support or agreement <

his successor echoed his opinion

> c. to be reminiscent of ; evoke <

music that echoes an earlier time

> 2. to send back (a sound) by the reflection of sound waves