Phrase guide
Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.
Sound
Each Play button uses your device's default local English voice, or a natural local fallback. The selected voice name appears after playback. This is synthesized speech, not a source recording.
No pronunciation record was provided for this word.
noun
An electronic eavesdropping device (bug) that attaches to a landline telephone and is activated or deactivated by a specific tone. When activated, it prevents the telephone from ringing but activates its microphone to transmit to another telephone at a remote location.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Synonyms: infinity transmitter
Antonyms: none provided
History
From harmonica for the tone that activates or deactivates the device, and bug (an electronic eavesdropping device).
