harmonic Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun a tone that is a component of a complex sound
  2. noun any of a series of musical tones whose frequencies are integral multiples of the frequency of a fundamental
  3. adjective of or relating to harmony as distinct from melody and rhythm
    • subtleties of harmonic change and tonality"- Ralph Hill
  4. adjective of or relating to harmonics
  5. adjective of or relating to the branch of acoustics that studies the composition of musical sounds
    • the sound of the resonating cavity cannot be the only determinant of the harmonic response
  6. adjective satellite relating to vibrations that occur as a result of vibrations in a nearby body
    sympathetic.
    • sympathetic vibration
  7. adjective satellite involving or characterized by harmony
    harmonised; consonant; harmonical; harmonized.

WordNet

Har*mon"ic, Har*mon"ic*al adjective (Also<
  • Harmonic
  • Harmonical
)
Etymology
L. harmonicus, Gr. cf. F. harmonique. See Harmony.
Definitions
  1. Concordant; musical; consonant; as, harmonic sounds.
    Harmonic twang! of leather, horn, and brass. Pope.
  2. (Mus.) Relating to harmony, -- as melodic relates to melody; harmonious; esp., relating to the accessory sounds or overtones which accompany the predominant and apparent single tone of any string or sonorous body.
  3. (Math.) Having relations or properties bearing some resemblance to those of musical consonances; -- said of certain numbers, ratios, proportions, points, lines. motions, and the like.
Har*mon"ic noun
Definitions
  1. (Mus.) A musical note produced by a number of vibrations which is a multiple of the number producing some other; an overtone. See Harmonics.

Webster 1913