in philosophy, a cavity in the surface of water, or other fluids, with an elevation above thereof.

The waves of the sea are of two kinds, natural and accidental. The natural waves are those which are exactly proportioned in size to the strength of the wind, whose blowing gives origin to them. The accidental waves are those occasioned by the wind's reacting upon itself by repercussion from hills and mountains, or high shores, and by the washing of the waves themselves; otherwise of the natural kind, against rocks and shoals: all these causes give the waves an elevation, which they can never have in their natural state.

For the height of the waves, see SEA.

Stilling Waves by means of Oil. See SEA.