Glossary
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Trough of Wave : Lowest part of a waveform between successive crests. Also,
that part of a wave below stilhvater level.
Updrift : Direction opposite the predominant movement of littoral materials in
longshore transport.
Wake (boat) : Waves generated by the motion of a vessel through water.
Wale : Horizontal beam on a bulkhead used to transfer horizontal loads against
the structure laterally along it and hold it in a straight alignment.
Waterline : Juncture of land and sea. This line migrates, changing with the tide
or other fluctuation in water level. Where waves are present on the beach,
this line is also known as the limit of backrush. (Approximately, the
intersection of land with the still water level). See also SHORELINE.
Wave : Ridge, deformation, or undulation of the surface of a liquid.
Wave Climate : Normal seasonal wave regimen along a shoreline.
Wave Crest : Highest part of a wave or that part above the still-water level
Wave Diffraction : see DIFFRACTION
Wave Direction : Direction from which a wave approaches.
Wave Height : The vertical distance between a wave crest and the preceding
trough.
Wave Length : The horizontal distance between similar points on two successive
waves (for example, crest to crest or trough to trough), measured
(perpendicular to the crest) in the direction of wave travel.
Wave Period : The time in which a wave crest travels a distance equal to one
wavelength. Can be measured as the time for two successive wave crests to
pass a fixed point.
Wave Refraction : See REFRACTION (of water waves).
Wave Steepness : Ratio of wave height to wavelength.
Wave Train : Series of waves from the same direction.
333
Trough of Wave : Lowest part of a waveform between successive crests. Also,
that part of a wave below stilhvater level.
Updrift : Direction opposite the predominant movement of littoral materials in
longshore transport.
Wake (boat) : Waves generated by the motion of a vessel through water.
Wale : Horizontal beam on a bulkhead used to transfer horizontal loads against
the structure laterally along it and hold it in a straight alignment.
Waterline : Juncture of land and sea. This line migrates, changing with the tide
or other fluctuation in water level. Where waves are present on the beach,
this line is also known as the limit of backrush. (Approximately, the
intersection of land with the still water level). See also SHORELINE.
Wave : Ridge, deformation, or undulation of the surface of a liquid.
Wave Climate : Normal seasonal wave regimen along a shoreline.
Wave Crest : Highest part of a wave or that part above the still-water level
Wave Diffraction : see DIFFRACTION
Wave Direction : Direction from which a wave approaches.
Wave Height : The vertical distance between a wave crest and the preceding
trough.
Wave Length : The horizontal distance between similar points on two successive
waves (for example, crest to crest or trough to trough), measured
(perpendicular to the crest) in the direction of wave travel.
Wave Period : The time in which a wave crest travels a distance equal to one
wavelength. Can be measured as the time for two successive wave crests to
pass a fixed point.
Wave Refraction : See REFRACTION (of water waves).
Wave Steepness : Ratio of wave height to wavelength.
Wave Train : Series of waves from the same direction.