lobe
Definitions
General Science
- noun a rounded part of a divided leaf
Astronomy
- Area of radio emission observed far to one side of the optically visible part of some galaxies
Aviation
- noun one of two, four or more sub-beams that form a directional radar beam
Electronics
- Within an antenna pattern, a three-dimensional section in which radiation and/or reception is increased. Also called antenna lobe, and when referring specifically to radiation also known as radiation lobe.
- Within a directional pattern of a transducer, a three-dimensional section in which radiation and/or reception is increased. For instance, such a lobe in the radiation pattern of a speaker.
Medical
- noun a rounded section of an organ such as the brain, lung or liver.
- noun the soft fleshy part at the bottom of the ear
- noun a cusp on the crown of a tooth
Slang
- noun a dull, conformist person. This word, used typically by schoolchildren of a tedious or unpopular fellow pupil is a shortening of ‘earlobe’, itself probably inspired by the long established working-class ear’ole.
Origin & History of “lobe”
Greek lobós denoted ‘something round’, such as the circular part of the ear or the liver, or a round seed pod. It came from a prehistoric *logwós, a close relative of which produced Latin legūmen ‘seed pod’ (source of English legume (17th c.)). Lobós was borrowed into late Latin as lobus, and from there made its way into English.
