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Webster 1913 Edition


Intensity

In-ten′si-ty

,
Noun.
[LL.
intensitas
: cf. F.
intensité
. See
Intense
.]
1.
The state or quality of being intense; intenseness; extreme degree;
as,
intensity
of heat, cold, mental application, passion, etc.
If you would deepen the
intensity
of light, you must be content to bring into deeper blackness and more distinct and definite outline the shade that accompanies it.
F. W. Robertson.
2.
(Physics)
The amount or degree of energy with which a force operates or a cause acts; effectiveness, as estimated by results produced.
3.
(Mech.)
The magnitude of a distributed force, as pressure, stress, weight, etc., per unit of surface, or of volume, as the case may be;
as, the measure of the
intensity
of a total stress of forty pounds which is distributed uniformly over a surface of four square inches area is ten pounds per square inch
.
4.
(Photog.)
The degree or depth of color or shade in a picture.

Webster 1828 Edition


Intensity

INTENS'ITY

,
Noun.
The state of being strained or stretched; intenseness, as of a musical chord.
1.
The state of being raised to a great degree; extreme violence; as the intensity of heat.
2.
Extreme closeness; as intensity of application.
3.
Excess; extreme degree; as the intensity of guilt.

Definition 2024


intensity

intensity

English

Noun

intensity (plural intensities)

  1. The quality of being intense.
  2. The degree of strength.
  3. (physics) Time-averaged energy flux (the ratio of average power to the area through which the power "flows"); irradiance.
  4. (optics) Can mean any of radiant intensity, luminous intensity or irradiance.
  5. (astronomy) Synonym of radiance.
  6. (geology) The severity of an earthquake in terms of its effects on the earth's surface, and buildings. The value depends on the distance from the epicentre, and is not to be confused with the magnitude.

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