wave theory

wave theory
1. Also called undulatory theory. Physics. the theory that light is transmitted as a wave, similar to oscillations in magnetic and electric fields. Cf. corpuscular theory.
2. Historical Ling. a theory that accounts for shared features among languages or dialects by identifying these features as innovations that spread from their points of origin to the speech of contiguous areas. Cf. family-tree theory.
[1825-35]

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Universalium. 2010.

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  • Wave theory — Wave Wave, n. [From {Wave}, v.; not the same word as OE. wawe, waghe, a wave, which is akin to E. wag to move. [root]138. See {Wave}, v. i.] [1913 Webster] 1. An advancing ridge or swell on the surface of a liquid, as of the sea, resulting from… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • wave theory — n a theory in physics: light is transmitted from luminous bodies to the eye and other objects by an undulatory movement called also undulatory theory * * * the theory that light, heat, and electricity are transmitted through space in the form of… …   Medical dictionary

  • wave theory — noun (physics) the theory that light is transmitted as waves • Syn: ↑undulatory theory, ↑wave theory of light • Ant: ↑corpuscular theory of light (for: ↑wave theory of light), ↑ …   Useful english dictionary

  • Wave theory — Undulatory Un du*la*to*ry (?; 277), a. [Cf. F. ondulatoire.] Moving in the manner of undulations, or waves; resembling the motion of waves, which successively rise or swell rise or swell and fall; pertaining to a propagated alternating motion,… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • wave theory — bangų teorija statusas T sritis fizika atitikmenys: angl. wave theory vok. Undulationstheorie, f; Wellenlehre, f; Wellentheorie, f rus. теория волн, f pranc. théorie des ondes, f …   Fizikos terminų žodynas

  • wave theory of light — noun (physics) the theory that light is transmitted as waves • Syn: ↑wave theory, ↑undulatory theory • Ant: ↑corpuscular theory of light, ↑corpuscular theory (for: ↑wave theo …   Useful english dictionary

  • wave theory of light — banginė šviesos teorija statusas T sritis fizika atitikmenys: angl. undulatory theory of light; wave theory of light vok. Wellentheorie des Lichtes, f rus. волновая теория света, f pranc. théorie ondulatoire de la lumière, f …   Fizikos terminų žodynas

  • wave theory — noun Physics, historical the theory that light is propagated by a wave motion imparted to the ether by the molecular vibrations of the radiant body …   English new terms dictionary

  • wave theory — noun Date: 1833 a theory in physics: light is transmitted from luminous bodies to the eye and other objects by an undulatory movement called also undulatory theory …   New Collegiate Dictionary

  • wave theory — /ˈweɪv θɪəri/ (say wayv thearree) noun the theory, proposed by Christiaan Huygens, 1629–95, Dutch physicist, that light travels in waves …  

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