different between amplitude vs enormity

English

Etymology

Borrowed from Middle French amplitude, from Latin amplit?d?, from amplus (“large”); synchronically, ample +? -itude.

Pronunciation

• (General American) IPA^(key): /?æm.pl?.tud/

Noun

amplitude (countable and uncountable, plural amplitudes)

1. The measure of something's size, especially in terms of width or breadth; largeness, magnitude.

   • The cathedral of Lincoln […] is a magnificent structure, proportionable to the amplitude of the diocese.

   • amplitude of comprehension

2. (mathematics) The maximum absolute value of the vertical component of a curve or function, especially one that is periodic.
3. (physics) The maximum absolute value of some quantity that varies.
4. (astronomy) 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.
5. (astronomy) 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.
6. (firearms) The horizontal line which measures the distance to which a projectile is thrown; the range.

Derived terms

Related terms

Translations

Further reading

• amplitude in Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary, G. & C. Merriam, 1913.
• amplitude in The Century Dictionary, New York, N.Y.: The Century Co., 1911.

Dutch

Etymology

Borrowed from French amplitude, from Latin amplit?d?.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /??m.pli?ty.d?/
• Hyphenation: am?pli?tu?de

Noun

amplitude f (plural amplitudes, diminutive amplitudetje n)

1. (mathematics, physics) amplitude

Derived terms

• amplitudemodulatie

See also

• frequentie
• golf

French

Etymology

From Latin amplit?d?.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /??.pli.tyd/

Noun

amplitude f (plural amplitudes)

1. (mathematics, physics) amplitude

Further reading

• “amplitude” in Trésor de la langue française informatisé (The Digitized Treasury of the French Language).

Norwegian Bokmål

Etymology

From Latin amplit?d?.

Noun

amplitude m (definite singular amplituden, indefinite plural amplituder, definite plural amplitudene)

1. (mathematics, physics) amplitude

References

• “amplitude” in The Bokmål Dictionary.

Norwegian Nynorsk

Etymology

From Latin amplit?d?.

Noun

amplitude m (definite singular amplituden, indefinite plural amplitudar, definite plural amplitudane)

1. (mathematics, physics) amplitude

References

• “amplitude” in The Nynorsk Dictionary.

Portuguese

Etymology

From Latin amplit?d?.

Noun

amplitude f (plural amplitudes)

1. amplitude; extent

Related terms

• amplo

English

Etymology

From Late Middle English ?norme (“monstrous or unnatural act; enormity”), from Old French énormité (“enormity”), from Latin ?normit?s (“irregularity; enormity”), from ?n?rmis (“irregular, unusual; enormous, immense”) + -it?s (suffix forming nouns indicating states of being). ?n?rmis is derived from e- (a variant of ex- (prefix meaning ‘out; away’) + n?rma (“norm, standard”) + -is (Latin suffix forming adjectives from nouns).

Pronunciation

• (Received Pronunciation) IPA^(key): /??n??m?ti/
• (General American) IPA^(key): /??n??m?ti/, /-?i/
• Hyphenation: enorm?i?ty

Noun

enormity (countable and uncountable, plural enormities)

1. (obsolete) Deviation from what is normal or standard; irregularity, abnormality.
2. (uncountable) Deviation from moral normality; extreme wickedness, nefariousness, or cruelty. [from 15th c.]
3. (countable) A breach of law or morality; a transgression, an act of evil or wickedness. [from 15th c.]
4. (uncountable) Great size; enormousness, hugeness, immenseness. [from 18th c.]

Usage notes

Enormity as a synonym for enormousness is sometimes considered an error, though other usage guides hold that there is little basis for the distinction. Both words ultimately go back to the same Latin source word ?n?rmis meaning “deviating from the norm, abnormal”.

Synonyms

• (deviation from what is normal or standard): anomalousness, oddness, weirdness; see also Thesaurus:strangeness
• (deviation from moral normality): atrociousness, depravity, immorality; see also Thesaurus:villainy
• (a breach of law or morality): desecration, violation
• (great size): immensity, prodigiousness

Related terms

Translations

References