Oscillational

Part of speech: adjective

Definitions

1. Characterized by periodic changes, this term refers to the behavior of systems that undergo fluctuations or cycles over time in a regular manner
2. Engaging with variations in frequency, it describes the repetitive motion of phenomena that shift back and forth or alternate consistently
3. Referring to motions that vary periodically, this term denotes the qualities of entities that display consistent cyclical changes or fluctuations over time

Etymology: "Oscillational" is a plain derivative: it takes "oscillation" and adds the adjective-forming suffix "-al", giving the sense "of or relating to oscillation." The base word itself comes from Latin "oscillatio", a noun built from "oscillare", "to swing", which is related to "oscillum", a swing hung from a tree or pole, and is the source of the English "oscillate." The Latin "oscillum" is thought to have been a small mask or image hung on swings or on vines during rural festivals, so the original idea was literally something that swings back and forth. Over time the word moved from physical swinging to any repeated back-and-forth motion, and later to repeated variation in quantities such as electrical current, sound and light. Because "oscillational" is a formation built on an existing English noun, its meaning follows directly from that base. It is most often used in physics and engineering to describe repeating cycles, though the adjective "oscillatory" is the more common alternative.