frequency
ˈfriːkwənsi
noun
Origin
Latin
frequentia — an assembling, multitude, or constant repetition
Overview
Meaning Now
- The rate at which something occurs or is repeated over a particular period of time or in a given sample.
- The number of complete oscillations per second of energy in the form of waves, such as sound, light, or radio waves.
Literal older meaning
the state of being frequent
Language path
Latin → Middle French → English
Earliest form
frequence
Earliest period
15th century
Journey
The word entered English through French, originally used to describe a large crowd or gathering of people (from the Latin sense of 'frequentia'). Over time, the meaning shifted from the density of a crowd to the density or rate of occurrences in time.
Evolution
- Classical Latin
frequentia
“gathering, crowdedness, persistence”
- Late Middle French
fréquence
“occurrence, recurrence”
- Middle English
frequence
“the fact of occurring often”
- Early Modern English
frequency
“state of occurring repeatedly”
Transition from 'frequence' to 'frequency' influenced by Latin 'frequentia'.
Connections
Word parts
frequent
root
occurring often
-cy
suffix
forming a noun of state or quality
Related across languages
French
fréquence
frequency
Spanish
frecuencia
frequency
Related words
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Related to frequency
External references use DefinedTerm semantics.