Robodialer

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. An automated device or system that dials large numbers of telephone calls and plays a recorded message to whoever answers
2. A piece of equipment or software that places many calls automatically, often used for marketing or surveys, delivering prerecorded messages
3. A computerized dialing system that sends out numerous phone calls without human operators, typically to deliver a recording to each recipient

Etymology: "Robodialer" is a compound of "robo-", a clipped form of "robot", and "dialer", the agent noun from "dial" in the sense of telephoning someone by turning a rotary dial or pressing keys. The "robo-" prefix came into wide use in the late 20th century, when "robot" was shortened into a productive combining form for automated devices and programs, producing words such as "robocall" and "robotext" alongside this one. "Dial" traces back through Middle English and Medieval Latin to "dialis", a Latin adjective meaning "daily", which in turn derives from "dies", "day". The sense of a clock face or sundial marking the hours led to the circular faces of early telephones, which were operated by turning a dial. The name "dialer" thus remembers a physical gesture that telephones no longer require. The compound is a modern coinage, most likely dating to the late 20th century as automated telemarketing spread, and its exact first attestation is uncertain.

Synonyms: autodialer, robocaller, predictive dialer