PRINCIPLE OF SUPERPOSITION

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does principle of superposition mean? 

• PRINCIPLE OF SUPERPOSITION (noun)
  The noun PRINCIPLE OF SUPERPOSITION has 2 senses:

1. (geology) the principle that in a series of stratified sedimentary rocks the lowest stratum is the oldest

2. the displacement of any point due to the superposition of wave systems is equal to the sum of the displacements of the individual waves at that point

  Familiarity information: PRINCIPLE OF SUPERPOSITION used as a noun is rare.

 Dictionary entry details 

• PRINCIPLE OF SUPERPOSITION (noun)

Sense 1

Meaning:

(geology) the principle that in a series of stratified sedimentary rocks the lowest stratum is the oldest

Classified under:

Nouns denoting cognitive processes and contents

Synonyms:

principle of superposition; superposition; superposition principle

Hypernyms ("principle of superposition" is a kind of...):

principle; rule (a rule or law concerning a natural phenomenon or the function of a complex system)

Domain category:

geology (a science that deals with the history of the earth as recorded in rocks)

Sense 2

Meaning:

The displacement of any point due to the superposition of wave systems is equal to the sum of the displacements of the individual waves at that point

Classified under:

Nouns denoting cognitive processes and contents

Synonyms:

Huygens' principle of superposition; principle of superposition

Context example:

the principle of superposition is the basis of the wave theory of light

Hypernyms ("principle of superposition" is a kind of...):

principle; rule (a rule or law concerning a natural phenomenon or the function of a complex system)