ultrasonic
Meaning: Relating to sound waves with a frequency above the upper limit of human hearing (typically above 20 kilohertz), or equipment that uses such waves.
Ultrasonic technology has widespread practical applications that most people encounter without realising the term's technical meaning. Medical ultrasound scans, industrial cleaning, and sonar navigation all rely on ultrasonic waves. The adjective describes the frequency of the sound rather than the speed of travel (which is 'supersonic'). In manufacturing, ultrasonic welding joins materials using high-frequency vibrations.
Examples
- The ultrasonic scan revealed that the baby was developing normally at twenty weeks. 超声波扫描显示,胎儿在第二十周发育正常。La ecografía reveló que el bebé se desarrollaba con normalidad a las veinte semanas.超音波検査により、胎児は20週目で順調に発育していることが明らかになった。초음파 검사를 통해 태아가 20주차에 정상적으로 발달하고 있음이 확인되었다.
- The jeweller placed the ring in an ultrasonic cleaner to remove years of accumulated grime. 珠宝商将戒指放入超声波清洗器中,去除多年积累的污垢。La joyera sumergió el anillo en un limpiador ultrasónico para eliminar años de suciedad acumulada.宝石商はその指輪を超音波洗浄機に入れ、長年にわたって蓄積した汚れを除去した。보석상은 그 반지를 초음파 세척기에 넣어 오랜 세월 축적된 때를 제거했다.
- Bats navigate in complete darkness by emitting ultrasonic pulses and interpreting the returning echoes. 蝙蝠在完全黑暗中通过发射超声波脉冲并解读返回的回声来导航。Los murciélagos navegan en plena oscuridad emitiendo pulsos ultrasónicos e interpretando los ecos que regresan.コウモリは超音波パルスを発し、戻ってくるエコーを解読することで完全な暗闇の中を飛び回る。박쥐는 초음파 펄스를 발사하고 돌아오는 메아리를 해석하여 완전한 어둠 속에서 방향을 잡는다.
Pronunciation
Usage Guide
Context: professional, academic
Tone: neutral
Origin & History
From Latin ultra- (beyond) + sonus (sound) + -ic. Coined in the early 20th century as technology developed to generate and detect sound waves beyond the range of human hearing.
Cultural Context
Era: Modern
Generation: All ages
Social background: Universal
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