sinusoidal
- Adjective:
- Having the form of a sine wave; characterized by a smooth, periodic oscillation that resembles the graph of the sine function. This describes a pattern or shape that repeats at regular intervals, rising and falling in a smooth, continuous curve.
- Relating to or varying according to a sine curve. This usage pertains to quantities or phenomena that change in a manner mathematically described by a sine function.
- Adjective:
- The alternating current in household outlets has a perfectly sinusoidal waveform.
- The data showed a clear sinusoidal pattern, with peaks occurring every 24 hours.
- Engineers designed a filter to smooth the signal into a sinusoidal output.
"Sinusoidal projection": A specific map projection where parallels of latitude are represented as straight lines, and meridians as sinusoidal curves.
- The sinusoidal projection is an equal-area map projection often used for world maps.
"Sinusoidal steady state": A technical term in electrical engineering describing a circuit's response to a steady sinusoidal input signal.
- Analyzing the circuit in the sinusoidal steady state simplifies the calculations using phasors.
Sine (noun): A fundamental trigonometric function (sin θ) that describes a smooth, periodic oscillation. The adjective "sinusoidal" is derived from this function.
- The value of the sine of 90 degrees is 1.
Sinusoid (noun): A curve having the form of a sine wave; a mathematical curve or a small blood vessel with a similar shape.
- The graph of the equation y = sin(x) is a classic sinusoid.
- Wavelike: Having the form or motion of a wave.
- Undulating: Moving with a smooth, wavelike motion; having a rising and falling form.
- Periodic: Recurring at regular intervals (this is a key characteristic but less specific to the shape).
Sinusoidal function: A function, such as sine or cosine, that produces a sinusoidal graph.
- The height of a point on a Ferris wheel over time can be modeled by a sinusoidal function.
Sinusoidal voltage/current: An alternating voltage or current whose waveform is sinusoidal.
- An ideal AC generator produces a sinusoidal voltage.
(Note: As a precise technical adjective, "sinusoidal" is not commonly used in idiomatic expressions. Its usage is primarily scientific, mathematical, and engineering contexts.)
- having a succession of waves or curves