radar

Meanings

1. 1
   noun

   In full primary radar: a method of detecting a distant object and determining its position, velocity, or other characteristics by analysing radio waves (usually microwaves) which are sent towards the object and which reflect off its surfaces; also, the field of study of this method.

   They were able to find the enemy fleet using radar.

2. 2
   noun

   A superior ability to detect something; an awareness, an intuition.

   His sensitive radar for hidden alliances keeps him out of trouble.

3. 3
   verb

   To use a radar apparatus (noun senses 1, 1.1, or 2) on (someone or something); to scan (someone or something) with, or as if with, radar.

   This was no ordinary signal for help that Baby-John was radaring to outer space, but a call that had to be heeded, for he had just seen two hard guys go down for the final count— […]

4. 4
   noun

   Alternative letter-case form of radar.

   Police traffic RADARs can provide a speed reading on a detected target, but they cannot measure the range to the target.

5. 5
   noun

   measuring instrument in which the echo of a pulse of microwave radiation is used to detect and locate distant objects

6. 6
   noun

   Often preceded by a descriptive word: a natural (for example, in an animal such as a bat) or human-made detection method based on the analysis of reflected signals other than radio waves, as light waves or sound waves; (countable) an instance of this.

Etymology

The noun is derived from RADAR by anacronymic evolution. RADAR is an acronym of ra(dio) d(etection) a(nd) r(anging) which was coined by Lieutenant-Commander Samuel M. Tucker and Lieutenant-Commander F. R. Furth of the United States Navy in November 1940. The verb is probably derived from the noun.