radar
UK[ˈreɪdɑː]US[ˈreɪdɑːr]
n
A system for detecting the presence, direction, distance, and speed of objects, such as aircraft or ships, by sending out pulses of radio waves which are reflected back off the object.
Etymology
The term 'radar' is a quintessential 20th-century technological acronym, coined in 1940 by the U.S. Navy. It was formed from the initial letters of the descriptive phrase "Radio Detection And Ranging," which precisely defines its core function. This method of word formation follows a modern pattern where complex technical terms are condensed into pronounceable and memorable words. The logic is direct and functional: the name encapsulates the entire process of using radio waves to detect objects and determine their range, evolving from a full descriptive label into a standalone lexical unit.
Analysis
The word is an acronym, not a combination of classical morphemes. It originates from the initial letters of the phrase "Radio Detection And Ranging."
Examples
The air traffic controller monitored the approaching storm on the radar screen.
Bats use a natural form of biological radar called echolocation to navigate in the dark.
The new stealth aircraft is designed to be virtually invisible to enemy radar.