Lavaliers

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. A type of microphone designed to be clipped onto clothing for hands-free usage; often used in television and theater for unobtrusive audio capture; characterized by their small size and ability to pick up sound clearly despite distance from the speaker
2. Small, clip-on microphones that allow for discreet recording or amplification of sound, frequently utilized in interviews and performances; known for their versatility and mobility in various audio applications; these devices ensure sound quality in dynamic environments
3. Compact microphones meant for attaching to clothing, allowing speakers to move freely while speaking; commonly employed in broadcasting and presentations for clear audio delivery; they provide effective sound capture in situations requiring minimal visibility

Etymology: The clip-on microphone is named after a seventeenth-century French noblewoman, Louise de La Vallière, who was a mistress of King Louis XIV. The fashion that gave the microphone its name came first: a small pendant worn on a ribbon or cord around the neck, which was popular in the late seventeenth century and was called a "lavallière" after her. The microphone was later named for the way it hangs from the neck, much like that pendant. The French surname La Vallière means "small valley," a plain geographic name that gave no hint of the court life it would later stand for. The "lavaliers" you are reading is the plural of the English form "lavalier," which entered the language by way of the French "lavallière" and kept its association with the neckwear of Louis XIV's court.