air waven.
/ˈɛː weɪv/, U.S. /ˈɛr ˌweɪv/ 1. A wave of compression and rarefaction in the atmosphere; esp. a sound wave.
ΘΚΠ
the world > matter > gas > air > [noun] > air-wave
air wave1757
1757 C. N. Jenty Course Anatomico-physiol. Lect. II. xxiv. 536 A greater Number of Air Waves are split, in the same Time, upon the Ligaments of the Glottis.
1857 D. Olmsted Compend. Nat. Philos. (new ed.) iii. iv. 220 Air waves..differ from water waves in several particulars. They are the effect of elasticity, occasioning alternate condensation and rarefaction of the particles of the air.
1881 J. Broadhouse Student's Helmholtz 75 Applying the visible motion of water-waves to illustrate the invisible motion of air-waves.
1916 M. W. Calkins Introd. Psychol. i. iii. 54 The amplitude of the air-wave, that is, the extent of vibrations of each airparticle, is known to condition the intensity of sound.
1940 Times 13 Apr. 6/1 The force of the explosion..was such that the attacking aircraft were rocked by the air wave.
1981 Science 31 July 540/2 Air waves from the Mount St. Helens explosive eruption.
2. In plural with the. The medium of transmission of radio or television signals; airborne radio waves. Also (in singular): a radio channel (cf. airway n. 3) (rare).
ΘΚΠ
society > communication > broadcasting > television > transmitting or receiving apparatus > [noun] > medium of transmission
air waves1924
1924 Daily Mirror 17 May 2 The latest development in broadcasting is the transmission over the air waves of the rattle of a rattlesnake, from the wireless station in the Pennsylvania State College, says Reuter.
1930 Daily Northwestern (Oshkosh, Wisc.) 10 Mar. 5/3 (heading) On Airwaves Tonight.
1940 P. H. Landis Rural Life in Process iii. xvi. 312 Exposure to stimuli on the airwaves is limited only by the distribution of radio sets.
1967 Economist 28 Jan. 331/2 No platitude has been more abused than that of ‘freedom of the airwaves’.
1978 Times 18 Aug. 10/4 The Citizen's Band is apparently a recent craze of motorized America: the airwave that permits radio communication between drivers.
2005 Computer Buyer May (Compl. Guide to Media Center Suppl.) 20/3 One of today's hot topics..is whether TV programmes will no longer be broadcast over the airwaves and instead begin reaching our houses through broadband Internet connections alone.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, June 2008; most recently modified version published online December 2021).
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