wave theory

noun

1. Also called undulatory theory. Physics. the theory that light is transmitted as a wave, similar to oscillations in magnetic and electric fields. Compare corpuscular theory.
2. Historical Linguistics. a theory that accounts for shared features among languages or dialects by identifying these features as innovations that spread from their points of origin to the speech of contiguous areas.

wave theory

noun

1. the theory proposed by Huygens that light is transmitted by waves
2. any theory that light or other radiation is transmitted as waves See electromagnetic wave

Word History and Origins

Origin of wave theory¹

First recorded in 1825–35