Definition: harmonic

Source: WordNet (r) 1.7

harmonic
     adj 1: of or relating to harmony as distinct from melody and
            rhythm; "subtleties of harmonic change and tonality"-
            Ralph Hill [ant: nonharmonic]
     2: of or relating to the branch of acoustics that studies the
        composition of musical sounds; "the sound of the
        resonating cavity cannot be the only determinant of the
        harmonic response"
     3: relating to vibrations that occur as a result of vibrations
        in a nearby body; "sympathetic vibration" [syn: sympathetic]
     4: involving or characterized by harmony [syn: consonant, harmonical,
         harmonized, harmonised, in harmony]
     n : a tone that is a component of a complex sound

Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

the motion of the point A, of the foot of the perpendicular PA,
when P moves uniformly in the circumference of a circle, and PA
is drawn perpendicularly upon a fixed diameter of the circle.
This is simple harmonic motion. The combinations, in any way, of
two more simple harmonic motions, make other kinds of harmonic
motion. The motion of the pendulum bob of a clock is
approximately simple harmonic motion.

   Harmonic proportion. See under Proportion.

   Harmonic series or progression. See under Progression.
      

   Spherical harmonic analysis, a mathematical method,
      sometimes referred to as that of Laplace's Coefficients,
      which has for its object the expression of an arbitrary,
      periodic function of two independent variables, in the
      proper form for a large class of physical problems,
      involving arbitrary data, over a spherical surface, and
      the deduction of solutions for every point of space. The
      functions employed in this method are called spherical
      harmonic functions. --Thomson & Tait.

   Harmonic suture (Anat.), an articulation by simple
      apposition of comparatively smooth surfaces or edges, as
      between the two superior maxillary bones in man; -- called
      also harmonic, and harmony.

   Harmonic triad (Mus.), the chord of a note with its third
      and fifth; the common chord.

Harmonic \Har*mon"ic\, Harmonical \Har*mon"ic*al\, a. [L.
   harmonicus, Gr. ?; cf. F. harmonique. See Harmony.]
   1. Concordant; musical; consonant; as, harmonic sounds.

            Harmonic twang! of leather, horn, and brass. --Pope.

   2. (Mus.) Relating to harmony, -- as melodic relates to
      melody; harmonious; esp., relating to the accessory sounds
      or overtones which accompany the predominant and apparent
      single tone of any string or sonorous body.

   3. (Math.) Having relations or properties bearing some
      resemblance to those of musical consonances; -- said of
      certain numbers, ratios, proportions, points, lines.
      motions, and the like.

   Harmonic interval (Mus.), the distance between two notes of
      a chord, or two consonant notes.

   Harmonical mean (Arith. & Alg.), certain relations of
      numbers and quantities, which bear an analogy to musical
      consonances.

   Harmonic motion,

Harmonic \Har*mon"ic\, n. (Mus.)
   A musical note produced by a number of vibrations which is a
   multiple of the number producing some other; an overtone. See
   Harmonics.