a device used to measure sound pressure. The sound pressure is transduced by a microphone, processed, and typically expressed in decibels sound-pressure level (dB SPL; see decibel). Some sound-level meters have frequency-weighting scales to approximate the characteristics of human hearing. The dBC scale gives approximately equal weight across most of the audibility range. The dBA scale is thought to better approximate the loudness or noisiness of environmental sounds.
n. a set of study methods developed on the basis of research in cognitive psychology. The set represents six steps required for acquiring information: preview, question, read, reflect, recite, and review.