superheterodyne

[ soo-per-het-er-uh-dahyn ]

adjective

1. denoting, pertaining to, or using a method of processing received radio or video signals in which an incoming modulated wave is changed by the heterodyne process into a lower-frequency wave and then subjected to amplification and subsequent detection.

noun

1. a superheterodyne receiver.

Word History and Origins

Origin of superheterodyne¹

First recorded in 1920–25; super(sonic) + heterodyne