laagfrequent

Laagfrequent is a Dutch term used to describe phenomena, signals, or waves that occur at relatively low frequencies compared with a reference point. It is commonly employed in scientific, engineering, and technical contexts to distinguish slower-changing signals from those at higher frequencies.

Etymology and usage: The word combines laag (low) with frequent (frequency). In Dutch technical writing, laagfrequent is an attributive descriptor used before nouns such as signalen (signals) or geluiden (sounds). The exact frequency boundary for what counts as laagfrequent varies by field, because different disciplines define low frequency relative to their operating bands.

Contexts and examples: In acoustics and audio engineering, laagfrequent often refers to sound components roughly below a few hundred hertz, with some definitions placing the upper limit near 200 Hz. In electronics and telecommunications, laagfrequent typically denotes signals in the lower part of the spectrum, such as tens of kilohertz in contrast to midband or high-frequency ranges used for radio transmission. In medical or industrial sensing, low-frequency signals may describe slow-changing measurements that are resilient to rapid noise, emphasizing stability over speed.

Limitations: The term is inherently contextual and does not have a single universal boundary. What constitutes laagfrequent in one field may differ in another, and authors may specify their frequency ranges to avoid ambiguity.

See also: low frequency, frequency, LF and VLF bands, audio frequency.