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Waved Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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waved

[weɪvd ]

Definition

Context #1 | Verb

gestural action

Waved is the past tense of 'wave,' which means to move one's hand back and forth to signal or greet someone. This action is commonly used to attract attention or show friendliness. Waving can be performed with various degrees of enthusiasm and can also imply a farewell. It is often used in social situations where verbal communication may not be possible or necessary.

Synonyms

beckoned, greeted, signaled.

Examples of usage

  • She waved to her friend across the street.
  • He waved goodbye as the train departed.
  • The crowd waved at the performers on stage.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Interesting Facts

Communication

  • Waving is a universal gesture used in cultures worldwide to signify greetings, farewells, or attention.
  • Different cultures may have unique styles of waving – for example, a quick flick in some Asian cultures indicates a warm greeting.

Pop Culture

  • In the 1997 film 'Titanic', the iconic scene features characters waving from the ship, symbolizing hope and adventure.
  • The 'wave' is also a popular dance move, especially during concerts, where audiences lift their arms in rhythm.

Psychology

  • Waving can trigger positive emotions, both for the person waving and the one being greeted, fostering social connections.
  • Psychological studies suggest that gestures like waving can increase friendliness and approachability in social settings.

Physics

  • In physics, the term 'wave' refers to energy moving through space, like sound waves and light waves, which is different but related to the action of waving.
  • The concept of waves in physics describes how energy and information can travel over distances, reflecting both motion and communication.

Origin of 'waved'

Main points about word origin

  • The word originated from the Old English 'waefian', meaning to move back and forth.
  • It has connections to similar words in German and Dutch, both conveying motions of moving or fluttering.

The word 'wave' originates from the Old English 'wafian', which means 'to move to and fro'. This term can be traced further back to Proto-Germanic *wafōną. The notion of waving has been part of human gestures to communicate across distances since ancient times. Over the centuries, the significance of a wave has evolved, representing various emotions and intentions such as greeting, signaling, and even rhythmically in the context of an audience showing appreciation. It has also appeared in idiomatic phrases like 'wave of excitement' or 'a wave of nostalgia', linking the physical action to mental states.

Word Frequency Rank

At #7,251 in frequency, this word belongs to advanced vocabulary. It's less common than core vocabulary but important for sophisticated expression.