1650s, "act of forming again," noun of action from reproduce. Of living organisms, "process by which new individuals are generated and species perpetuated," by 1782. The meaning "process of reproducing sounds" is by 1908. The meaning "a copy, a counterpart" is from 1807; in 20c. especially "something made in the style of an earlier period."

1946 as a shortening of reproduction (n.).

"susceptible or capable of reproduction," 1834; see reproduction + -able. Also compare reproduceable. Related: Reproductibility.

"asexual reproduction, reproduction by fission or gemmation," 1869, from Greek monos "single, alone" (see mono-) + -gonia "a begetting," from gonos "birth" (from PIE root *gene- "give birth, beget"). 

1947, abbreviation of high-fidelity (1934), a descriptive term of radio receivers in reference to their quality of sound reproduction. Hi as an advertiser's phonological shortening of high (adj.) is attested by 1914. Fidelity in the sense "faithful reproduction of sound" is from 1878.

"reproduction of a recording," 1929, from the verbal phrase; see play (v.) + back (adv.).

"enthusiast of high-quality sound reproduction," 1951, originally in "High Fidelity" magazine, from audio- + -phile.

"susceptible or capable of reproduction," 1825, from reproduce + -able. Alternative form reproductible, which is attested from 1834.

dictation recording and reproduction machine, trademarked by the Columbia Graphophone Company in 1907; from dictation + -phone. A separate company from 1923.

see shivah (Jewish ritual of mourning) or Siva (Hindu god of destruction and reproduction), depending which is meant.