intensity
/ɪnˈtɛnsɪti/ noun
Forms intensities
- noun The quality of being intense.
- noun The degree of strength.
- noun (physics) Time-averaged energy flux (the ratio of average power to the area through which the power "flows"); irradiance.
- noun (optics) Any of radiant intensity, luminous intensity or irradiance.
- noun (astronomy) Synonym of radiance.
- noun (geology) The severity of an earthquake in terms of its effects on the earth's surface, and buildings. The value depends on the distance from the epicentre, and is not to be confused with the magnitude.
Synonyms
intension radiance strength intensity level intensiveness volume loudness saturation chroma vividness
Etymology
From intense + -ity. Cf. also Medieval Latin intensitas.
Webster’s 1913
- noun The state or quality of being intense; intenseness; extreme degree; as, intensity of heat, cold, mental application, passion, etc. If you would deepen the intensity of light, you must be content to bring into deeper blackness and more distinct and definite outline the shade that accompanies it. F. W. Robertson.
- noun The amount or degree of energy with which a force operates or a cause acts; effectiveness, as estimated by results produced.
Etymology [LL. intensitas: cf. F. intensité. See Intense.]
Sources: Wiktionary · WordNet 3.0 · Webster’s 1913 — from the Wiktionary entry “intensity”, CC BY-SA 4.0. Details