Definition of Echo: An echo is a sound that is reflected off a surface and heard again. It typically occurs when sound waves bounce back to the listener from a large object or surface, such as a building or a mountain range. Echoes can vary in strength and duration, depending on the distance and the nature of the reflecting surface. The phenomenon is not only observed in acoustics but also used metaphorically in literature and conversation to denote a repeated or imitated element.
Etymology and Origin: The term ‘echo’ comes from the Greek word ‘ēkhō’, which means ‘sound’. In Greek mythology, Echo was a nymph who fell in love with Narcissus and was cursed by Hera to only repeat the words spoken to her, hence the association with repetitive sound. The word has been used in English since the 14th century to describe the phenomenon of reflected sound.
