harmonic motion

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noun Physics.

periodic motion consisting of one or more vibratory motions that are symmetric about a region of equilibrium, as the motion of a vibrating string of a musical instrument.

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Origin of harmonic motion

First recorded in 1865–70

Words nearby harmonic motion

harmonic conjugates, harmonic distortion, harmonic interval, harmonic mean, harmonic minor scale, harmonic motion, harmonicon, harmonic oscillator, harmonic progression, harmonics, harmonic series

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use harmonic motion in a sentence

I wonder what that lady is doing now, and if she knows what she set in motion with Archer?
‘Archer’ Creator Adam Reed Spills Season 6 Secrets, From Surreal Plotlines to Life Post-ISIS|Marlow Stern|January 8, 2015|DAILY BEAST
The train was already in motion as she tried to step inside, and her body was crushed beneath it.
Riding Thailand’s WWII Death Railway|Liza Foreman|December 21, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Stop-motion animation artist PES has unveiled a new short this week.
‘Sexual’ Barbershop Quartet, a Panda Family Reunion, and More Viral Videos|The Daily Beast Video|December 14, 2014|DAILY BEAST
But what he did set in motion a series of events that ended in his life being lost.
A Black Cop’s Tough Words for Mike Brown|Mary M. Chapman|December 3, 2014|DAILY BEAST

This year McQueen picked up three Oscars (including best picture) for his third motion picture 12 Years A Slave.
Has the Turner Prize Gone Soft?|David Levesley|December 2, 2014|DAILY BEAST
In this situation we waited the motion of the enemy, without perceiving any advancement they made towards us.
The Life and Most Surprising Adventures of Robinson Crusoe, of York, Mariner (1801)|Daniel Defoe
These sections also have vibrations of their own which are of shorter length and more rapid motion.
Expressive Voice Culture|Jessie Eldridge Southwick
Felipe watched over her as a lover might; her great mournful eyes followed his every motion.
Ramona|Helen Hunt Jackson
At six o'clock I felt once more the welcome motion of a Railroad car, and at eight was in Venice.
Glances at Europe|Horace Greeley
The first jolt had like to have shaken me out of my hammock, but afterwards the motion was easy enough.
Gulliver's Travels|Jonathan Swift

British Dictionary definitions for harmonic motion

harmonic motion

noun

a periodic motion in which the displacement is symmetrical about a point or a periodic motion that is composed of such motionsSee also simple harmonic motion

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Scientific definitions for harmonic motion

harmonic motion

A periodic vibration, as of a violin string, in which the motions are symmetrical about a region of equilibrium. Such a vibration may have only one frequency and amplitude or may be a combination of two or more components called harmonics. Also called periodic motion