Hertzian wave
- noun
- /ˈhɜrtsiən weɪv/
- Archaic
:
onda hertziana
- He designed an experiment to measure the strength of the Hertzian waves produced by the antenna.
Examples
-
The scientist explained how a transmitter emits Hertzian waves that can carry information through the air.
-
"Could they be like Hertzian waves?"
Fiction book (1996) -
" Not the Hertzian waves, but perhaps something allied... "
Fiction book (1996) -
Radio stations rely on Hertzian waves to broadcast their signals to listeners across large distances.
Synonyms
19
3.2
A wave of invisible energy that sends signals to radios and phones
1
4.6
A radio wave used for wireless signals or medical treatment
Surface Forms
Morphology
Hertzian + wave
The compound combines an adjective meaning ‘related to Heinrich Hertz / his work in electromagnetism’ with the noun ‘wave’, so its meaning as a type of electromagnetic or radio wave is directly derivable from the constituents. This is a transparent, compositional naming pattern (proper-name adjective + noun) that is predictable for learners who know both parts and is cross-linguistically common in technical terminology.
Etymology
The term Hertzian wave comes from the name of the scientist Heinrich Hertz, who showed that quick electrical sparks make invisible waves that travel through the air. Because these waves were first studied by Hertz, people called them Hertzian waves, which is why the phrase was used for what we now call a 'radio wave'.