intensity English · revision 7489

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=derivation|attested=1665}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA: /ɪnˈtɛnsɪti/^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is formed [[af|en|intense|-ity]].^(Etymonline)^(MWU 2024)^(SOED 2002) The earlier noun was intenseness (1610s).^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ The quality of being intense, a very high degree: 1665.^(OED 1989)^(MWU 2024)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ It was originally a scientific term, the amount of energy with which a force operates;^(Etymonline) the degree or amount of a quality, such as force or energy, is from 1794.^(OED 1989) Extreme depth of feeling, or its expression, is attested by 1830.^(Etymonline)^(OED 1989) In photography it meant density from 1855.^(OED 1989)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * 1610s – intenseness.^(Etymonline)

+ * 1665 – intensity.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1794 – degree or amount.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1830 – depth of feeling.^(Etymonline)^(OED 1989)

+

+ ==Modern meaning==

+ ===Noun===

+ # Great [[concentration]], power or force; the state of being [[intense]].^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # ''(physics)'' The amount of [[energy]], as of light, heat or sound, per unit area or volume.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # The strength of a [[colour]]; [[saturation]].^(AHD)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[overintensity]]

+ * [[superintensity]]

+ * [[luminous intensity]]

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+ ==Related words==

+ * [[intense]]

+ * [[intensive]]

+ * [[intensify]]

+ * [[tense]]

+ * [[tension]]

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}