Questions about sinusoidal

Question

I don't get why sinusoidal is used, when you're talking about something that is like a rectangle you say rectangular, when you are talking about something that's like a line you say liniar, what's so special about something that is reminiscent a sine wave?

GPY · Accepted Answer

AnonymousI don't get why sinusoidal is used

It is used when something is like a sine wave or has the shape of a sine wave. I don't see the problem.

CalifJim · Answer

Anonymouswhat's so special about something that is reminiscent a sine wave?

In terms of word formation? Were you expecting "sinusal"? That's just an accident of the history of words.

In terms of the real world? Take some courses in mathematics and engineering. Any curve can be described in terms of combinations of sine waves with a method called Fourier analysis. As any signal is essentially a wave form, this is important in transmitting signals both wired and wireless. Without the knowledge of sine waves we would have no alternating current, no radio, no television, nor would we have many other electronic devices.

CJ

Anonymous · Answer

I'm just curious as to why it's unique in the way it's formed, instead of something that fits the pattern like sinular or something like that

GPY · Answer

AnonymousI'm just curious as to why it's unique in the way it's formed, instead of something that fits the pattern like sinular or something like that

Although "-oid" itself seems to be an adjectival suffix, "sinusoid" can also be a noun, so I guess "sinusoidal" can be viewed as an adjective-forming "-al" suffix attached to that noun.

Questions about sinusoidal

Top answer

Get the Weekly English Kit 📬

Related Questions