Infrasonic: meaning, definitions and examples

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infrasonic

 

[ ˌɪnfrəʊˈsɒnɪk ]

Adjective
Context #1 | Adjective

sound frequency

Infrasonic refers to sound waves with a frequency below the lower limit of human audibility, typically below 20 Hz. These low-frequency sounds can be produced by natural events like earthquakes or by man-made sources such as engines. Infrasonic waves can travel long distances and are often used in scientific research to monitor seismic activity.

Synonyms

low frequency, subaudible, unhearable.

Examples of usage

  • Whales communicate using infrasonic calls.
  • Infrasonic vibrations can be felt during an earthquake.
  • The infrasonic waves generated by the jet were detected miles away.

Translations

Translations of the word "infrasonic" in other languages:

🇵🇹 infrassônico

🇮🇳 अधिस्वनात्मक

🇩🇪 infraschall

🇮🇩 infrasonik

🇺🇦 інфразвук

🇵🇱 infradźwięk

🇯🇵 インフラサウンド

🇫🇷 infrasonore

🇪🇸 infrasonido

🇹🇷 infrasonik

🇰🇷 초저주파의

🇸🇦 تحت الصوتي

🇨🇿 infrazvuk

🇸🇰 infrazvuk

🇨🇳 次声波

🇸🇮 infrasonični

🇮🇸 infrasónar

🇰🇿 инфразвуковая

🇬🇪 ინფრაბგერა

🇦🇿 infra səs

🇲🇽 infrasonido

Etymology

The term 'infrasonic' is derived from the Latin prefix 'infra-', meaning 'below', and 'sonic', which originates from the Latin 'sonus', meaning 'sound'. This term was first introduced in the scientific community in the mid-20th century, primarily in studies related to acoustics and sound waves. It was recognized as referring specifically to frequencies lower than those detectable by the human ear. The growing understanding of sound waves and their effects on the environment has led to increased interest and research in infrasonic phenomena, particularly concerning its role in natural events and its potential applications in technology and science.

Word Frequency Rank

Ranking #39,424, this word is encountered relatively rarely in everyday English. It might appear in literary works or specialized texts but isn't essential for general communication.