I. ˈe-(ˌ)kō noun
( plural ech·oes 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
• echo·ey ˈe-ˌkō-ē adjective
II. verb
( ech·oed ; echo·ing ˈe-(ˌ)kō-iŋ, ˈe-kə-wiŋ)
Date: 1596
intransitive verb
1. : to resound with echoes
2. : to produce an echo
transitive verb
1.
a. : repeat , imitate
children echo ing their teacher's words
b. : to restate in support or agreement
his successor echo ed his opinion
c. : to be reminiscent of : evoke
music that echo es an earlier time
2. : to send back (a sound) by the reflection of sound waves