Harmonicity

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. The quality of being harmonic, meaning that frequencies or tones stand in simple whole-number relationships to one another
2. The degree to which a sound, signal or system displays overtones that are integer multiples of a fundamental frequency
3. The property of a set of tones or vibrations whose frequencies relate in clean ratios, producing a pleasing and coherent sound

Etymology: "Harmonicity" is a plain formation: the adjective "harmonic" with the suffix "-ity", which turns an adjective into a noun for the quality or state it describes. "Harmonic" itself comes from Latin "harmonicus", borrowed from Greek "harmonikos", meaning skilled in music or relating to harmony, and "harmonia" was the Greek word for a joining or fitting together, especially of parts of a musical scale. The suffix does the real work here. "-ity" arrived in English through Old French "-ité" from Latin "-itas", and it is attached to a great many adjectives, so "harmonicity" follows the same pattern as "electricity" from "electric" or "periodicity" from "periodic". Its meaning is the degree to which something is harmonic, that is, the property of having sounds or waves that stand in clear whole-number relationships to one another.