First Known Use: 1646
Dictionary
antenna
noun an·ten·na \an-ˈte-nə\
: a thin sensitive organ on the head of an insect, crab, etc., that is used mainly to feel and touch things
: a device (such as a wire or a metal rod) for sending or receiving radio or television signals
plural an·ten·nae\-(ˌ)nē\ or an·ten·nas
Full Definition of ANTENNA
1
plural an·ten·nae : one of a pair of slender movable segmented sensory organs on the head of insects, myriapods, and crustaceans — see insect illustration
2
: a usually metallic device (as a rod or wire) for radiating or receiving radio waves
3
antennae plural : a special sensitivity or receptiveness <his political antennae proved to be shrewder than ever — Erich Segal>
— an·ten·nal \-ˈte-nəl\ adjective
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Origin of ANTENNA
Medieval Latin, from Latin, sail yard
ANTENNAS Defined for Kids
antenna
noun an·ten·na \an-ˈte-nə\
Definition of ANTENNA for Kids
1
plural an·ten·nae \-ˈte-nē\ : one of two or four threadlike movable feelers on the head of insects and crustaceans (as lobsters)
2
plural an·ten·nas : a metallic device (as a rod or wire) for sending or receiving radio waves
Word History of ANTENNA
In Greece more than two thousand years ago, the philosopher and naturalist Aristotle wrote a description of insects’ feelers. He used the Greek word keraia, which is derived from the word keras, “horn,” as a name for the feelers. The word keraia in Greek also means “sail yard,” the long piece of wood that spreads and supports the sails on a ship. Centuries later, when Aristotle's work was translated into Latin, the Latin word for a sail yard, antenna, was used to translate keraia. English later borrowed the word antenna from Latin.
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