(Also unhyphened.) [SPEAKING vbl. sb. 5 b.] A kind of trumpet (chiefly used at sea), so contrived as to carry the voice to a great distance, or to cause it to be heard above loud noises.
1671. Sir S. Morland, Tuba Stentoro-phonica, Title-p-, The instruments (or Speaking-Trumpets) of all sizes [etc.].
1671. Phil. Trans., VI. 3056. An Account of the Speaking Trumpet, as it hath been contrived and published by Sir Sam. Moreland Knight and Baronet.
1680. Lond. Gaz., No. 1520/1. The Twelfth at night, Captain St. Johns, by the help of the Speaking Trumpet, called to us. Ibid. (1709), No. 4506/2. They were told (by a Speaking Trumpet from the Castle) that the Enemy had taken the Town.
1773. Goldsm., Stoops to Conq., I. i. He sometimes whoops like a speaking trumpet.
1824. Miss Mitford, Village, Ser. I. (1863), 127. His voice was loud enough to have hailed a ship at sea without the assistance of a speaking-trumpet.
1887. W. P. Frith, Autobiogr., I. v. 60. A very old gentleman … with a speaking-trumpet under his arm.
fig. and transf. 1710. Palmer, Proverbs, 145. This is performing the contemptible office of a speaking-trumpet.
1823. Scott, Quentin D., xxx. Reason … borrows the speaking-trumpet of Necessity, and her voice becomes lordly and imperative.
