Amplitude definition | Dictionary.com

am⋅pli⋅tude

[am-pli-tood, -tyood]

–noun

1.	the state or quality of being ample, esp. as to breadth or width; largeness; greatness of extent.

2.	large or full measure; abundance; copiousness.

3.	mental range, scope, or capacity.

4.	Physics. the absolute value of the maximum displacement from a zero value during one period of an oscillation.

5.	Electricity. the maximum deviation of an alternating current from its average value.

6.	Astronomy. the arc of the horizon measured from the east or west point to the point where a vertical circle through a heavenly body would intersect the horizon.

7.	Mathematics. argument (def. 8b).

Origin:
1540–50; < L amplitūdō. See ample, -i-, -tude

Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1)
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2006.
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Language Translation for : Amplitude

Spanish:

extensión,

German:

die Größe,

Japanese:

広さ

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am·pli·tude (ām'plĭ-tōōd', -tyōōd') Pronunciation Key
n.

Greatness of size; magnitude.
Fullness; copiousness.
Breadth or range, as of intelligence.
Astronomy The angular distance along the horizon from true east or west to the intersection of the vertical circle of a celestial body with the horizon.
Physics The maximum absolute value of a periodically varying quantity.
Mathematics
1. The maximum absolute value of a periodic curve measured along its vertical axis.
2. The angle made with the positive horizontal axis by the vector representation of a complex number.
Electronics The maximum absolute value reached by a voltage or current waveform.

[Latin amplitūdō, from amplus, large.]

The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2006 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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amplitude

1549, from L. amplitudinem (nom. amplitudo, gen. amplitudinis) "wide extent, width," from amplus (see ample). Amplitude modulation in ref. to radio wave broadcast (as opposed to frequency modulation) first attested 1921, usually abbreviated a.m.

Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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amplitude
noun
1.	(physics) the maximum displacement of a periodic wave
2.	the property of copious abundance
3.	greatness of magnitude

WordNet® 3.0, © 2006 by Princeton University.
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amplitude (ām'plĭ-t

d') Pronunciation Key

Physics One half the full extent of a vibration, oscillation, or wave. The amplitude of an ocean wave is the maximum height of the wave crest above the level of calm water, or the maximum depth of the wave trough below the level of calm water. The amplitude of a pendulum swinging through an angle of 90° is 45°. Compare frequency.
Electronics The amount by which a voltage or current changes from zero or an average value.

The American Heritage® Science Dictionary
Copyright © 2002 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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amplitude

In physics, the height of a crest (or the depth of a trough) of a wave.

[Chapter:] Physical Sciences and Mathematics

The American Heritage® New Dictionary of Cultural Literacy, Third Edition
Copyright © 2005 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Amplitude

Am"pli*tude\, n. [L. amplitudo, fr. amplus: cf. F. amplitude. See Ample.]

1. State of being ample; extent of surface or space; largeness of dimensions; size.

The cathedral of Lincoln . . . is a magnificent structure, proportionable to the amplitude of the diocese. --Fuller.

2. Largeness, in a figurative sense; breadth; abundance; fullness. (a) Of extent of capacity or intellectual powers. "Amplitude of mind." --Milton. "Amplitude of comprehension." --Macaulay. (b) Of extent of means or resources. "Amplitude of reward." --Bacon.

3. (Astron.) (a) The arc of the horizon between the true east or west point and the center of the sun, or a star, at its rising or setting. At the rising, the amplitude is eastern or ortive: at the setting, it is western, occiduous, or occasive. It is also northern or southern, when north or south of the equator. (b) The arc of the horizon between the true east or west point and the foot of the vertical circle passing through any star or object.

4. (Gun.) The horizontal line which measures the distance to which a projectile is thrown; the range.

5. (Physics) The extent of a movement measured from the starting point or position of equilibrium; -- applied especially to vibratory movements.

6. (math.) An angle upon which the value of some function depends; -- a term used more especially in connection with elliptic functions.

Magnetic amplitude, the angular distance of a heavenly body, when on the horizon, from the magnetic east or west point as indicated by the compass. The difference between the magnetic and the true or astronomical amplitude (see 3 above) is the "variation of the compass."

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