From the Greek tele, meaning far off, and phone, meaning a sound, and translating literally as asound far off. See also Hellenologophobia. 1. A device comprising a transmitter, receiver, and dialing mechanism (dial or keypad), and used for transmitting speech over distances by converting acoustical signals into electrical signals. A typical telephone can be analog or digital in nature, and be equipped with a dial or keypad. See also acoustics, electricity, receiver, signal, speech, and transmitter. 2. An invention of the devil which abrogates some of the advantages of making a disagreeable person keep his distance, at least according to Ambrose Bierce (1842