high-intensity
|high-in-ten-si-ty|
🇺🇸
/haɪ ɪnˈtɛnsəti/
🇬🇧
/haɪ ɪnˈtɛnsɪti/
very strong / great strength
Etymology
'high-intensity' originates from Modern English, specifically the combination of the adjective 'high' and the noun 'intensity'.
'intensity' originates from Latin 'intensitas' (via Old French/Medieval Latin), where 'intens-' related to 'intendere' meaning 'to stretch or strain'; 'high' originates from Old English 'heah' (heah > high). The compound 'high intensity' developed in Modern English by combining these elements to describe large degree of intensity.
Initially, 'intensity' referred to the degree of stretching/strain (from Latin), and 'high-intensity' as a compound has come to mean 'of a very great degree of intensity or strength' in contemporary usage.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
the state or quality of being of high intensity; great strength, force, or concentration (used as a noun phrase: 'high intensity').
The athletes trained at high intensity to improve endurance.
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Adjective 1
having or involving a high degree of strength, force, power, or concentration; very intense.
The experiment required high-intensity light sources.
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Last updated: 2025/09/05 01:26