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on the same wavelength

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wave⋅length

[weyv-lengkth, -length, -lenth]
–noun
1. Physics. the distance, measured in the direction of propagation of a wave, between two successive points in the wave that are characterized by the same phase of oscillation.
2. on the same wavelength, in sympathy or rapport: We seemed to be on the same wavelength from the moment we met.
Also, wave length.


Origin:
1855–60; wave + length
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To on the same wavelength
wave·length   (wāv'lěngkth', -lěngth', -lěnth')   


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n.   Abbr. WL
The distance between one peak or crest of a wave of light, heat, or other energy and the next corresponding peak or crest.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Cultural Dictionary

wavelength

The distance between crests (or troughs) of a wave.

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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Slang Dictionary
on the same wavelength

  1. mod.
    thinking in the same pattern. : We're not on the same wavelength. Let's try again.
Dictionary of American Slang and Colloquial Expressions by Richard A. Spears.Fourth Edition.
Copyright 2007. Published by McGraw Hill.
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Word Origin & History

wavelength 
1850, "distance between peaks of a wave," from wave (n.) + length. Originally of spectra; radio sense is attested by 1925. Fig. sense of "mental harmony" is recorded from 1927, on analogy of radio waves.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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Medical Dictionary

Main Entry: wave·length
Pronunciation: -"le[ng](k)th
Function: noun
: the distance in the line of advance of a wave from any one point to the nextpoint of corresponding phase —symbol λ
Merriam-Webster's Medical Dictionary, © 2002 Merriam-Webster, Inc.
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Medical Dictionary

wavelength wave·length (wāv'lěngkth', -lěngth')
n.

Symbol λ The distance between one peak or crest of a wave of light, heat, or other energy and the next corresponding peak or crest.

The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
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Science Dictionary
wavelength   (wāv'lěngkth')  Pronunciation Key 
The distance between one peak or crest of a wave and the next peak or crest. It is equal to the speed of the wave divided by its frequency, and to the speed of a wave times its period.
The American Heritage® Science Dictionary
Copyright © 2002. Published by Houghton Mifflin. All rights reserved.
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Idioms & Phrases

on the same wavelength

In complete accord, in rapport, as in Conductor, orchestra members, soloists, and chorus all were on the same wavelength, making for a wonderful performance. This term alludes to radio waves that carry a broadcast. [First half of 1900s]

The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer.
Copyright © 1997. Published by Houghton Mifflin.
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