Main Entry: res·o·nance

Pronunciation: \ˈre-zə-nən(t)s, ˈrez-nən(t)s\

Function: noun

Etymology: Middle English resonaunce, from Middle French resonance, from resoner to resound — more at resound

Date: 15th century

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 (2) : the state of adjustment that produces resonance in a mechanical or electrical system
2 a : the intensification and enriching of a musical tone by supplementary vibration b : a quality imparted to voiced sounds by vibration in anatomical resonating chambers or cavities (as the mouth or the nasal cavity) c : a quality of richness or variety d : a quality of evoking response <how much resonance the scandal seems to be having — United States News & World Report>
3 : the sound elicited on percussion of the chest
4 : the conceptual alternation of a chemical species (as a molecule or ion) between two or more equivalent allowed structural representations differing only in the placement of electrons that aids in understanding the actual state of the species as an amalgamation of its possible structures and the usually higher-than-expected stability of the species
5 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
6 : an extremely short-lived elementary particle
7 : 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