harmonic series

noun Mathematics.

a series in which the reciprocals of the terms form an arithmetic progression.
the divergent infinite series, 1 + 1/2 + 1/3 + 1/4 + 1/5 + . . . .

Origin of harmonic series

First recorded in 1865–70

Words nearby harmonic series

harmonic mean, harmonic minor scale, harmonic motion, harmonic oscillator, harmonic progression, harmonic series, harmonic suture, harmonic tone, harmonica, harmonicon, harmonics

British Dictionary definitions for harmonic series

harmonic series

noun

maths a series whose terms are in harmonic progression, as in 1 + 1/2 + 1/3 + …
acoustics the series of tones with frequencies strictly related to one another and to the fundamental tone, as obtained by touching lightly the node points of a string while playing it. Its most important application is in the playing of brass instruments

Scientific definitions for harmonic series

harmonic series

A series whose terms are in harmonic progression, especially the series 1 + 12 + 13 + 14 + .... and so on.