I. ˈrez( ə )nən(t)s noun
( -s )
Usage: often attributive
Etymology: Middle French, from Latin resonantia echo, from resonant-, resonans, present participle of resonare to echo, resound — more at resound
1.
a. : the quality or state of being resonant
b.
(1) : a vibration of large amplitude in a mechanical or electrical system caused by a relatively small periodic stimulus of the same or nearly the same period as the natural vibration period of the system (as when a child in a swing is given pushes with the natural frequency of the swing, when an organ pipe responds to a tuned reed, or when a radio receiving circuit is tuned to a broadcast frequency)
(2) : the state of adjustment that produces resonance in a mechanical or electrical system
a violin string in resonance with a vibrating tuning fork
two circuits in resonance with each other
2.
a. : the intensification and enriching of a musical tone by supplementary vibration that is either sympathetically or mechanically induced
b. : a quality imparted to voiced sounds by the resonance-chamber action of mouth and pharynx configurations and in some cases of the nostrils in addition
3. : the sound elicited on percussion of the chest
4. : the complex of internal bodily processes that occur in emotional states : rapport , empathy
5. : a phenomenon that is shown by a molecule, ion, or radical to which two or more structures differing only in the distribution of electrons can be assigned, that is detected by shortened atomic distances and by lessened heats of hydrogenation or combustion over those expected from comparable structures not exhibiting this phenomenon, and that gives rise to a general stabilization of the structure because of the several orbital paths that the electrons may take among the atoms concerned
resonance is usually responsible for the deep color of certain organic compounds — J.A.Leermakers & Arnold Weissberger
— called also mesomerism ; compare hyperconjugation , tautomerism
II. noun
1.
a. : the enhancement of an atomic, nuclear, or particle reaction or a scattering event by excitation of internal motion in the system
b. : magnetic resonance
2. : an extremely short-lived elementary particle
3. : a synchronous gravitational relationship of two celestial bodies (as moons) that orbit a third (as a planet) which can be expressed as a simple ratio of their orbital periods
4. : a quality of evoking response
how much resonance the scandal seems to be having — US News & World Report