Rayleigh wave Hear it!

Rayleigh wave definition

Rayleigh wave

any of the undulating surface waves present in a solid having uniform properties; esp., any such wave on the earth's surface, caused by an earthquake

Etymology: after 3d Baron Rayleigh, who first described them

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2009 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

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