static

static term formerly use to describe electrical noise in radio reception, especially noise that originates outside a transmitter and receiver, e.g., in the atmosphere or in man-made devices. In general, a frequency modulation (FM) radio receiver is less susceptible to such noise than one using amplitude modulation (AM). Many receivers are equipped with devices, such as automatic limiting and silencing circuits, to lessen the effect of such noise on reception.

static †pert. to weighing or weight XVII; pert. to forces in equilibrium or bodies at rest XVII; pert. to a fixed condition XIX. — Gr. statikós pert. to weighing, f. *sta- (see prec.).
Hence statical XVI. So †static sb. XVI, later altered to statics XVII. — Gr. statiké science of weighing, fem. of statikós.

stat·ic / ˈstatik/ • adj. 1. lacking in movement, action, or change, esp. in a way viewed as undesirable or uninteresting: demand has grown in what was a fairly static market the whole ballet appeared too static. ∎  Comput. (of a process or variable) not able to be changed during a set period, for example, while a program is running. 2. Physics concerned with bodies at rest or forces in equilibrium. Often contrasted with dynamic. ∎  (of an electric charge) having gathered on or in an object that cannot conduct a current. ∎  acting as weight but not moving. ∎  of statics. 3. Comput. (of a memory or store) not needing to be periodically refreshed by an applied voltage. • n. crackling or hissing noises on a telephone, radio, or other telecommunications system. ∎ short for static electricity. ∎  inf. angry or critical talk or behavior: the reception was going sour, breaking up into static. DERIVATIVES: stat·i·cal·ly / -ik(ə)lē/ adv. stat·ick·y / -ikē/ adj.