Subscriber login


Forgot your password?

Library card login

Other

harmonic

Pronunciation: /hɑːˈmɒnɪk/
Definition of harmonic

adjective

  • 1 Music relating to or characterized by harmony:a basic four-chord harmonic sequence
  • relating to or denoting a harmonic or harmonics.
  • 2 Mathematics relating to a harmonic progression: the resonant frequencies of the vibrations bear simple harmonic relationships to each other
  • Physics relating to component frequencies of a complex oscillation or wave: the response of any linear circuit can be found by superposing the responses to each harmonic component of the signal
  • 3 Astrology using or produced by the application of a harmonic:harmonic charts

noun

  • 1 Music an overtone accompanying a fundamental tone at a fixed interval, produced by vibration of a string, column of air, etc. in an exact fraction of its length.
  • a note produced on a musical instrument as an overtone, e.g. by lightly touching a string while sounding it.
  • 2 Physics a component frequency of an oscillation or wave.
  • 3 Astrology a division of the zodiacal circle by a specified number, used in the interpretation of a birth chart: the fifth harmonic

Derivatives

harmonically

adverb

Origin:

late 16th century (in the sense 'relating to music, musical'): via Latin from Greek harmonikos, from harmonia (see harmony)

harmonic in other Oxford dictionaries

Definition of harmonic in the US English dictionary

Nearby words

  |  Cite

More words in this category

Oxford Dictionaries Pro

For Oxford's best resources for writers, plus thesaurus, audio, and 1.9m examples.

GET PRO ►

Shop for an Oxford dictionary
Find the perfect Oxford dictionary for you in our online shop.
SHOP NOW ►

Word of the day

monocular

/ məˈnɒkjʊlə /
adjective , noun
with, for, or in one eye …