visiphone

English

Etymology

Possible derived from vision +‎ phone.

Noun

visiphone (plural visiphones)

1. (science fiction, dated) A telephone capable of making video calls.

   Synonym: videophone

   • 2010, Eileen Siedman, The Faithful: 23rd Century Morality: A Mystery Novel, Bloomington, I.N.: Xlibris Corporation, →ISBN, page 25:

     During the late 21st century, the wide-spread use of portable voice-activated interactive computers and visiphones brought communications to their zenith.

Verb

visiphone (third-person singular simple present visiphones, present participle visiphoning, simple past and past participle visiphoned)

1. (science fiction, dated) To call someone using a visiphone.

   Synonym: videophone

   • 1987, Thomas R. McDonough, The Architects of Hyperspace, New York, N.Y.: Avon, →ISBN:

     "Plum, try viziphoning them." / Plum pushed a key and said, "CQ, this is the starship Shillelagh of the Asteroid Federation, calling CQ."

References

• Jesse Sheidlower, editor (2001–2025), “visiphone, n.”, in Historical Dictionary of Science Fiction.
• Jesse Sheidlower, editor (2001–2025), “visiphone, v.”, in Historical Dictionary of Science Fiction.