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Cassette Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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cassette

[kəˈsɛt ]

Definitions

Context #1 | Noun

music player

A cassette is a small plastic case containing a length of magnetic tape that is used for recording or playing sound or video. Cassettes were commonly used in the past for listening to music or recording audio.

Synonyms

audio tape, tape.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
cassette

Repeated word with the same meaning and context as the first entry.

  • I'm nostalgic about the cassettes we used to listen to at grandma's house
tape

Broad term that can refer to various types of magnetic tapes, including audio and video tapes. It is often used in casual speech or when the specific type of tape is understood from context.

  • She found some old tape recordings in the attic
  • He dubbed a new song onto the tape
audio tape

General term used for magnetic tape used to record and playback sound, applicable in various recording contexts including professional and personal use.

  • They used an audio tape to record the interview
  • The old audio tape contained his childhood memories

Examples of usage

  • I found an old cassette of my favorite band's album.
  • She still has a cassette player in her car.
Context #2 | Noun

storage device

A cassette is a small case containing photographic film, typically used in analog cameras. It allows for easy loading and unloading of film, providing convenience for photographers.

Synonyms

film cartridge, roll film.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
cassette

Used to refer to a small, flat plastic case containing magnetic tape for audio or video recording.

  • I still have my old music cassettes from the 80s.
  • The video cassette got jammed in the player.
film cartridge

Refers to a small container that holds photographic film, often used in older cameras.

  • Make sure to load the film cartridge correctly before taking pictures.
  • We need a new film cartridge for the camera.
roll film

Specifically used to describe a spool of photographic film, typically used in traditional photography.

  • I bought a roll of black-and-white film for my vintage camera.
  • Do you know where I can develop this roll film?

Examples of usage

  • I need to buy a new cassette for my camera.
  • She loaded a fresh cassette into her film camera.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Interesting Facts

Technology

  • The first compact cassette was invented in 1963 by Philips, changing how people listened to music.
  • Cassette tapes were the primary format for portable music until the introduction of CDs in the 1980s.
  • Inline cassette adapters became popular, allowing people to play music from cassette players in their cars.

Pop Culture

  • In the 1980s and 1990s, making mixtapes from cassettes became a romantic gesture among teenagers.
  • Cassette tapes often featured iconic album covers and designs, making them collectible items.
  • Many musicians hosted cassette release parties, creating a unique promotional strategy for upcoming albums.

Art

  • Artists have used cassette tapes in visual art installations to explore themes of nostalgia and memory.
  • Some musicians have returned to cassette format, appreciating its lo-fi sound and aesthetic.
  • The cassette cover art itself has become a subject in graphic design courses, showcasing the blend of audio and visual creativity.

Science

  • Cassette tapes store audio as magnetically encoded information, relying on the principles of electromagnetism.
  • Research in audio technology led to innovations in how sound is recorded and reproduced historically.
  • The decline of cassette tapes spurred interest in digital audio compression and the evolution of formats like MP3.

Origin of 'cassette'

Main points about word origin

  • The word 'cassette' comes from the French word 'casset', meaning 'small box'.
  • It was first used in the 1960s when audio technology was developing.
  • Before this term, 'tape recorder' was commonly used to refer to similar devices.

The word 'cassette' originated from the French word 'cassette', which means a small box or case. The use of cassettes became popular in the 1960s and 1970s for both audio and video recordings. While they have largely been replaced by digital formats, cassettes hold a nostalgic place in the hearts of many music and film enthusiasts.

See also: case, cases, casing, casings, encase, encased, encasement, encasing, lowercase, uppercase.

Word Frequency Rank

At position #12,687, this word is part of sophisticated English vocabulary. It's useful for academic or professional contexts where precise language is needed.