sferics

American  

[sfeer-iks, sfer-] / ˈsfɪər ɪks, ˈsfɛr- /

noun

1. (used with a singular verb) electronic equipment for determining the position of storms by locating their accompanying atmospherics.

2. (used with a plural verb) the atmospheric discharges located by this device.

3. (used with a singular verb) Also the study of atmospherics.

4. spherics.

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sferics British  

/ ˈsfɛrɪks /

noun

1. the usual US spelling of spherics 2

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sferics Scientific  

/ sfîr′ĭks,sfĕr′- /

1. The study of atmospherics, especially through the use of electronic detectors.

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Etymology

Origin of sferics

First recorded in 1940–45; shortening and respelling of atmospherics

Example Sentences

Electrical currents in lightning bolts generate a broad range of radio frequencies known as atmospherics, or “sferics” for short.

From Scientific American

Such waves can be detected a long way off, and distinguished from ordinary thunderstorm sferics.

From Time Magazine Archive

As the line advances, the sferics detectors sweep from storm to storm, measuring the frequency of its radio waves.

From Time Magazine Archive