resonance

 
Pronunciation: /ˈrɛz(ə)nəns/

noun

[mass noun]
  • 1the quality in a sound of being deep, full, and reverberating: the resonance of his voice
  • the power to evoke enduring images, memories, and emotions: the concepts lose their emotional resonance
  • 2 Physics the reinforcement or prolongation of sound by reflection from a surface or by the synchronous vibration of a neighbouring object.
  • 3the condition in which an electric circuit or device produces the largest possible response to an applied oscillating signal.
  • Mechanics the condition in which an object or system is subjected to an oscillating force having a frequency close to its own natural frequency.
  • 4 Astronomy the occurrence of a simple ratio between the periods of revolution of two bodies about a single primary.
  • 5 Chemistry the property of having a molecular structure which cannot adequately be represented by a single structural formula but is a composite of two or more structures of higher energy.
  • 6 [count noun] Physics a short-lived subatomic particle that is an excited state of a more stable particle.

Origin:

late Middle English: from Old French, from Latin resonantia 'echo', from resonare 'resound' (see resonant)