English
amplitude
Etymology

Borrowed from Middle French amplitude, from Latin amplitūdō, from amplus ("large").

Pronunciation
  • (America) IPA: /ˈæm.plɪ.tud/
Noun

amplitude

  1. The measure of something's size, especially in terms of width or breadth; largeness, magnitude.
    • 1655, Thomas Fuller, The Church-history of Britain; […], London: […] Iohn Williams […], →OCLC ↗:
      The cathedral of Lincoln […] is a magnificent structure, proportionable to the amplitude of the diocese.
    • 1671, John Milton, “The First Book”, in Paradise Regain'd. A Poem. In IV Books. To which is Added, Samson Agonistes, London: […] J[ohn] M[acock] for John Starkey […], →OCLC ↗, page 2 ↗:
      amplitude of mind
    • 1849–1861, Thomas Babington Macaulay, The History of England from the Accession of James the Second, volume (please specify |volume=I to V), London: Longman, Brown, Green, and Longmans, →OCLC ↗:
      amplitude of comprehension
    • 1911, G. K. Chesterton, The Innocence of Father Brown:
      As the two topped the ridge there burst on them the strong scarlet light of a red-curtained English inn. It stood sideways in the road, as if standing aside in the amplitude of hospitality.
  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.
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