wave model

English

A graphical representation of the wave model

Etymology

Calque of German Wellentheorie.

Proper noun

the wave model

1. (historical linguistics) A model of language change in which an innovation gradually spreads outward from its region of origin.

   Synonyms: Wellentheorie, wave theory

Further reading

• wave model on Wikipedia.Wikipedia
• “Wellentheorie”, in OED Online ⁠, Oxford, Oxfordshire: Oxford University Press, launched 2000.