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selectiveness

selectiveness

7.3
How well a radio picks one signal and ignores others
  • noun
  • /sɪˈlɛktɪvnəs/
  • Specialized
translation icon : selectividad
  • The new radio's selectiveness made it possible to tune in to distant stations clearly.

Examples

  • High selectiveness is important for devices operating in crowded frequency bands.

  • Engineers improved the selectiveness of the receiver to reduce background noise.

  • The selectiveness of the radio receiver is impressive.

  • The selectiveness of this filter allows only certain frequencies.

  • The new radio's selectiveness allows it to pick up weak signals without interference from stronger ones.

  • Engineers increased the selectiveness of the device to better filter out unwanted frequencies.

  • To achieve clearer audio, the selectiveness of the radio receiver must be optimized for specific signals.

Synonyms

selectivity
vsselectiveness
4 6.7

Careful choosing among different options

applies to devices filtering radio signals rather than general choice

Antonyms

indiscrimination
  • Specialized
9.6

Not able to tell similar sights, sounds, or textures apart

Surface Forms

selectiveness singular

Morphology

selectiveness = selective (semi-transparent) = select + ive + ness

The step from 'selective' to 'selectiveness' is a regular nominalization using '-ness' and is morphologically transparent.

Etymology

The word selectiveness comes from select, which comes from an old word meaning 'to choose' or 'to pick'. So for a radio or other device it means the ability to 'pick' the one signal you want and leave the others out.