earplug

earplug
/ear"plug'/, n.
a plug of soft, pliable material inserted into the opening of the outer ear, esp. to keep out water or noise.
[1900-05; EAR1 + PLUG]

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      type of ear ornament usually inserted in pierced and distended earlobes and generally worn by traditional peoples. Earplugs were the direct forerunners of today's pierced earrings (earring).

      The Ainu of northern Japan have used plugs of fabric; in the New World, Mayan (Maya) earplugs have been found made of thin jade, stone, bone, shell, wood, and metal in many sizes. The Berawan people of Borneo used plugs 3.75 inches (9.5 cm) in diameter, and the Maasai of East Africa have a stone earplug that is 4.5 inches (11.4 cm) in diameter and weighs 2 pounds 14 ounces (1.3 kg).

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Universalium. 2010.

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Look at other dictionaries:

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  • earplug — [ir′plug΄] n. a plug inserted in the outer ear, as to deaden excessive noise or keep out water when swimming …   English World dictionary

  • Earplug — Silicone rubber earplugs for protection against water, dust etc. An earplug is a device that is meant to be inserted in the ear canal to protect the wearer s ears from loud noises or the intrusion of water, foreign bodies, dust or excessive wind …   Wikipedia

  • earplug — n. to insert an earplug * * * [ ɪəplʌg] to insert an earplug …   Combinatory dictionary

  • earplug — UK [ˈɪə(r)ˌplʌɡ] / US [ˈɪrˌplʌɡ] noun [countable] Word forms earplug : singular earplug plural earplugs a small piece of plastic or rubber that you put in your ear to keep noise or water out …   English dictionary

  • earplug — /ˈɪəplʌg/ (say earplug) noun a piece of soft material, as wax, inserted into the outer ear to keep out water, noise, etc …  

  • earplug — noun Date: 1904 1. an ornament inserted in the lobe of the ear especially to distend it 2. a device of pliable material for insertion into the outer opening of the ear (as to keep out water or deaden sound) …   New Collegiate Dictionary

  • earplug — 1. noun A piece of protective clothing that is meant to be inserted in the ear canal to protect the wearers hearing from loud noises or the intrusion of water 2. verb To fit with earplugs. In this same strain of mouse, earplugging from 17 22 days …   Wiktionary

  • earplug — Generic term for occlusive devices for the external auditory canal for protection of hearing against noise induced hearing loss or to prevent water from getting into the ear. SEE ALSO: hearing protectors, under protector. * * * ea …   Medical dictionary

  • earplug — ear|plug [ˈıəplʌg US ˈır ] n [C usually plural] a small piece of rubber that you put inside your ear to keep out noise or water …   Dictionary of contemporary English

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