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amplitude

Syllabification: (am·pli·tude)
Pronunciation: /ˈampliˌt(y)o͞od/

Definition of amplitude

noun

  • 1 Physics the maximum extent of a vibration or oscillation, measured from the position of equilibrium.
  • the maximum difference of an alternating electrical current or potential from the average value.
  • 2 Astronomy the angular distance of a celestial object from the true east or west point of the horizon at rising or setting.
  • 3breadth, range, or magnitude:the amplitude of the crime of manslaughter lies beneath murder
  • 4 Mathematics the angle between the real axis of an Argand diagram and a vector representing a complex number.

Origin:

mid 16th century (in the senses 'physical extent' and 'grandeur'): from Latin amplitudo, from amplus 'large, abundant'

amplitude in other Oxford dictionaries

Definition of amplitude in the British & World English dictionary