wavelength-responsive
|wave-length-re-spon-sive|
🇺🇸
/ˈweɪvˌlɛŋθ rɪˈspɑːnsɪv/
🇬🇧
/ˈweɪvˌlɛŋθ rɪˈspɒnsɪv/
responds to wavelength
Etymology
'wavelength-responsive' originates from Modern English as a compound of 'wavelength' and 'responsive'; 'wavelength' itself is a scientific formation from 'wave' + 'length', and 'responsive' derives ultimately from Latin 'respondēre' meaning 'to answer' or 'to reply'.
'wavelength' was coined in the 19th century in physics by combining 'wave' (from Old English roots for motion or wave) and 'length' (Old English 'lengð'); 'responsive' comes from Latin 'respondēre' via Old French/Medieval Latin and Middle English forms, and the compound 'wavelength-responsive' formed in Modern English usage as technical vocabulary.
Initially the elements meant 'wave' + 'length' and 'to answer/respond'; over time the compound came to mean 'showing a response that depends on wavelength' in scientific and technical contexts.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Adjective 1
responsive to, or whose response varies according to, the wavelength of electromagnetic radiation (usually light); exhibiting different behavior, activation, or sensitivity at different wavelengths.
The new photodetector is wavelength-responsive, allowing it to distinguish near-infrared signals from visible light.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Last updated: 2025/11/29 22:15