radar
Meanings
noun
- In full primary radar: a method of detecting a distant object and determining its position, velocity, or other characteristics by analysing radio waves (usually microwaves) which are sent towards the object and which reflect off its surfaces; also, the field of study of this method.
- In full secondary radar: a method of detecting a distant object and determining its position, velocity, or other characteristics by analysing signals transmitted by the object in response to radio waves sent towards the object.
- Often preceded by a descriptive word: a system using one of the above detection methods, differentiated by configuration or platform, frequency, power, and other technical attributes.
- An installation of the apparatus for operating one of the above detection systems.
- Often preceded by a descriptive word: a natural (for example, in an animal such as a bat) or human-made detection method based on the analysis of reflected signals other than radio waves, as light waves or sound waves; (countable) an instance of this.
- A superior ability to detect something; an awareness, an intuition.
verb
- To use a radar apparatus (noun senses 1, 1.1, or 2) on (someone or something); to scan (someone or something) with, or as if with, radar.
noun
- Alternative letter-case form of radar.
Pronunciation
Word forms
Etymology
The noun is derived from RADAR by anacronymic evolution. RADAR is an acronym of ra(dio) d(etection) a(nd) r(anging) which was coined by Lieutenant-Commander Samuel M. Tucker and Lieutenant-Commander F. R. Furth of the United States Navy in November 1940. The verb is probably derived from the noun.
Related words
Derived words
Translations
This entry uses open data from Wiktionary (CC BY-SA/GFDL). Word forms are used for search and are not indexed as separate pages.