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fonogramma

phonogram; recorded sound message

noun foh-noh-GRAHM-mah Rare

Origin: Greek phōnē (sound) + gramma (written sign).

Usage Note

Fonogramma (plural fonogrammi) is an administrative term in Italian for an official message transmitted by telephone and then written down for the record, used in public administration and the military. It is also used in linguistics to mean a symbol representing a sound. Note the masculine gender despite the -a ending, like other Greek-origin words (il problema, il programma).

Examples

"Il fonogramma è arrivato in ufficio stamattina."

Natural Translation

The phonogram arrived at the office this morning.

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