Depth

Look up depth in Wiktionary, the free dictionary.

Depth may describe any of a number of different concepts both abstract and concrete, and such concepts can be either qualitative or quantitative in nature. Commonly, depth refers to the distance between a viewer and a far point or face (see also Depth perception).

• In fundamental physics, depth is a measurement of one of the following:
  • the distance from top to bottom, such as depth of a valley; or
  • the thickness from one side to another, such as the depth of an office or a drawer; or
  • the distance from a surface, such as depth of the lake or the depth of frost.

• In marine studies, depth refers to the distance between the sea floor and the surface of the sea

• In photography/optical physics the depth of field describes a range, the distance in front of and behind the subject, which appears to be in focus.

• In physiology, depth perception is the ability of an animal to see objects in three dimensions.

• In mathematics, depth can be any of a wide variety of concepts, including:
  • the number of sequences in a commutative ring,
  • the number of branches in graph-tree,
  • the number of steps on a topologic path.

• In cryptanalysis, reading in depth is a technique of decrypting two or more messages that have been encrypted with the same key.

• In computer graphics, depth with respect to an image refers to
  • the number of bits used to capture colors,
  • the number of colors supported by the computer graphics system.

• In psychology, depth can refer to
  • the complexity of personality,
  • the amount of knowledge, understanding, profundity in the mind,
  • the amount of emotion in the mind,
  • the complexity or severity of a situation, such as a stressful situation.

• In microgravity situations (not commonly found on earth), the distance from an observer to an object.

• In sports, depth is a measure of the ability of a team or an individual to continue high performance under adverse circumstances.

• In English, depth can be an idiom, such as in the phrase "out of his depth", or "in deep trouble".

See also

• Depth perception
• Depth gauge
• Fluid pressure
• Plumb-bob
• Sea level

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