The shape and pattern of a wave as represented graphically, showing how a signal varies over time.
Compound of 'wave' (from Old English 'wafian' meaning to move back and forth) plus 'form' (from Latin 'forma' meaning shape). The term emerged in early 20th century electrical engineering and acoustics.
Waveforms make the invisible visible - they're visual translations of sound, electricity, and other phenomena that exist in time but can't be seen directly. This concept revolutionized science by allowing us to analyze and understand patterns in energy and vibration.
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