undulation

Meanings

1. 1
   noun

   a smooth rising-and-falling or back-and-forth movement like a wave

   The swimmer matched her breathing to the undulation of the water.

2. 2
   noun

   a wavy curve, outline, or variation in a surface

   A gentle undulation in the road hid the village from view.

From Medieval Latin undulatio, or through French ondulation, from Latin undula, 'a little wave,' the diminutive of unda, 'wave.' The term moved from literal wave motion to any gently wavy form.

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