backscattering
|back-scat-ter-ing|
/ˈbækˌskætərɪŋ/
(backscatter)
scatter backward
Etymology
'backscattering' is a modern English compound formed from 'back' + 'scatter' (the noun/verb 'backscatter' + gerund/nominalizing suffix '-ing'), created in technical contexts in the 20th century.
'backscatter' was formed by combining English 'back' (Old English 'bæc', meaning 'back') and 'scatter' (from Middle English 'skateren/ scateren', ultimately related to older Germanic roots meaning 'to scatter'); the technical compound 'backscatter' and its derived noun 'backscattering' arose in modern scientific usage.
Initially a straightforward combination meaning 'scatter back,' it became a technical term referring specifically to the portion or process of scattering directed back toward the source in fields such as radar, sonar, optics, and particle physics.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
the scattering of waves, particles, or signal energy back toward the direction of the source (commonly used in physics, radar, sonar, optics, and remote sensing).
High backscattering from the sea surface increased the clutter on the radar display.
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Noun 2
in remote sensing and radar/sonar contexts, the portion or coefficient of the incident energy that is scattered back and received by the sensor (e.g., backscatter coefficient, backscatter signal).
Analysts measured the backscattering coefficient to estimate surface roughness.
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Verb 1
present participle form of 'backscatter' (to scatter back toward the source).
The rough surface is backscattering most of the incoming radar pulses.
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Last updated: 2025/12/27 02:04