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magnéto

tape recorder

noun mahn-YEH-toh Rare
Arts & Culture

Also means

magneto

Usage Note

Magnéto is an informal shortening of magnétophone ('tape recorder') and is masculine in that sense. It can also mean a magneto (a type of electrical generator), which is masculine as well. In contemporary informal French, the word is increasingly replaced by references to digital devices, but it persists in older recordings and nostalgic contexts. Plural: des magnétos.

Examples

"Lance le magnéto, on va écouter l'enregistrement."

Natural Translation

Start the tape recorder, let's listen to the recording.

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