TERMIUM Plus®
The Government of Canada’s terminology and linguistic data bank.
CRETE VAGUE [11 records]
Record 1 - internal organization data 2012-10-12
Record 1, English
Record 1, Subject field(s)
- Hydrology and Hydrography
Record 1, Main entry term, English
- crest
1, record 1, English, crest
correct
Record 1, Abbreviations, English
Record 1, Synonyms, English
- ridge of wave 1, record 1, English, ridge%20of%20wave
Record 1, Textual support, English
Record number: 1, Textual support number: 1 DEF
The wave top. 2, record 1, English, - crest
Record number: 1, Textual support number: 1 OBS
There is not much refraction by the underwater ridge for this wave with a shorter wave period and wave length. 3, record 1, English, - crest
Record 1, French
Record 1, Domaine(s)
- Hydrologie et hydrographie
Record 1, Main entry term, French
- crête de la vague
1, record 1, French, cr%C3%AAte%20de%20la%20vague
correct, feminine noun
Record 1, Abbreviations, French
Record 1, Synonyms, French
- crête 2, record 1, French, cr%C3%AAte
feminine noun
Record 1, Textual support, French
Record number: 1, Textual support number: 1 DEF
Partie supérieure de la vague ou de la houle. 2, record 1, French, - cr%C3%AAte%20de%20la%20vague
Record number: 1, Textual support number: 1 CONT
Quand la profondeur de l'eau de la côte diminue, les particules d’eau situées sur la crête de la vague n’ ont plus assez de place pour décrire une orbite : la vague se brise. 3, record 1, French, - cr%C3%AAte%20de%20la%20vague
Record 1, Spanish
Record 1, Campo(s) temático(s)
- Hidrología e hidrografía
Record 1, Main entry term, Spanish
- cresta de ola
1, record 1, Spanish, cresta%20de%20ola
feminine noun
Record 1, Abbreviations, Spanish
Record 1, Synonyms, Spanish
Record 1, Textual support, Spanish
Record 2 - internal organization data 2011-09-01
Record 2, English
Record 2, Subject field(s)
- Energy Transformation
- Wave-Energy Power Plants
Record 2, Main entry term, English
- overtopping device
1, record 2, English, overtopping%20device
correct
Record 2, Abbreviations, English
Record 2, Synonyms, English
Record 2, Textual support, English
Record number: 2, Textual support number: 1 CONT
Overtopping devices have reservoirs that are filled by incoming waves to levels above the average surrounding ocean. The water is then released, and gravity causes it to fall back toward the ocean surface. The energy of the falling water is used to turn hydro turbines. 2, record 2, English, - overtopping%20device
Record 2, French
Record 2, Domaine(s)
- Transformation de l'énergie
- Centrales houlomotrices
Record 2, Main entry term, French
- dispositif de déversement
1, record 2, French, dispositif%20de%20d%C3%A9versement
correct, masculine noun
Record 2, Abbreviations, French
Record 2, Synonyms, French
Record 2, Textual support, French
Record number: 2, Textual support number: 1 CONT
Le dispositif de déversement [...] se compose simplement d’un réservoir dont le fond flotte au-dessus du niveau moyen de la vague(NMV). La crête de la vague éclabousse par-dessus une rampe pour se retrouver dans le réservoir. L'eau de mer s’écoule du réservoir à travers une turbine(la PDF) qui est reliée à une génératrice électrique. 1, record 2, French, - dispositif%20de%20d%C3%A9versement
Record 2, Spanish
Record 2, Textual support, Spanish
Record 3 - internal organization data 2011-05-16
Record 3, English
Record 3, Subject field(s)
- Oceanography
Record 3, Main entry term, English
- whitecap
1, record 3, English, whitecap
correct
Record 3, Abbreviations, English
Record 3, Synonyms, English
- white horse 2, record 3, English, white%20horse
correct
Record 3, Textual support, English
Record number: 3, Textual support number: 1 DEF
A wave that is blown by the wind so its crest is broken and appears white. 3, record 3, English, - whitecap
Record 3, Key term(s)
- whitecaps
- white cap
- white caps
- white horses
Record 3, French
Record 3, Domaine(s)
- Océanographie
Record 3, Main entry term, French
- moutons
1, record 3, French, moutons
correct, masculine noun, plural
Record 3, Abbreviations, French
Record 3, Synonyms, French
- crête d'écume blanche 2, record 3, French, cr%C3%AAte%20d%27%C3%A9cume%20blanche
correct, feminine noun
- vague à crête blanche 3, record 3, French, vague%20%C3%A0%20cr%C3%AAte%20blanche
feminine noun
Record 3, Textual support, French
Record number: 3, Textual support number: 1 DEF
Crête de vague qui, bien que cette vague se propage en profondeur relativement grande, devient instable et se brise(en se couvrant d’écume blanche). 4, record 3, French, - moutons
Record number: 3, Textual support number: 1 CONT
Les moutons apparaissent par petite brise [vent de force 3] et s’étendent à mesure que le vent fraîchit. 5, record 3, French, - moutons
Record number: 3, Textual support number: 2 CONT
[Par] vent frais [à une vitesse de] 39 à 48 km/h [...] des lames commencent à se former. Les crêtes d’écume blanche sont partout plus étendues (habituellement quelques embruns). 6, record 3, French, - moutons
Record number: 3, Textual support number: 1 OBS
moutons : terme rarement utilisé au singulier (mouton). 7, record 3, French, - moutons
Record 3, Key term(s)
- mouton
Record 3, Spanish
Record 3, Campo(s) temático(s)
- Oceanografía
Record 3, Main entry term, Spanish
- cabrillas
1, record 3, Spanish, cabrillas
correct, feminine noun, plural
Record 3, Abbreviations, Spanish
Record 3, Synonyms, Spanish
- cabretillas 2, record 3, Spanish, cabretillas
feminine noun
Record 3, Textual support, Spanish
Record number: 3, Textual support number: 1 DEF
Pequeñas olas que se coronan de espuma cuando empieza a soplar el viento fresco. 1, record 3, Spanish, - cabrillas
Record 4 - internal organization data 2007-03-26
Record 4, English
Record 4, Subject field(s)
- Oceanography
- Hydrology and Hydrography
Record 4, Main entry term, English
- breaker
1, record 4, English, breaker
correct
Record 4, Abbreviations, English
Record 4, Synonyms, English
- breaking wave 2, record 4, English, breaking%20wave
correct
Record 4, Textual support, English
Record number: 4, Textual support number: 1 DEF
A wave that has become so steep that the crest of the wave topples forward, moving faster than the main body of the wave. 3, record 4, English, - breaker
Record number: 4, Textual support number: 1 OBS
There are usually three kinds of breaking waves: surging breakers, spilling breakers and plunging breakers. 4, record 4, English, - breaker
Record 4, French
Record 4, Domaine(s)
- Océanographie
- Hydrologie et hydrographie
Record 4, Main entry term, French
- vague déferlante
1, record 4, French, vague%20d%C3%A9ferlante
correct, feminine noun
Record 4, Abbreviations, French
Record 4, Synonyms, French
- lame déferlante 2, record 4, French, lame%20d%C3%A9ferlante
correct, feminine noun
- vague de déferlement 3, record 4, French, vague%20de%20d%C3%A9ferlement
correct, feminine noun
- déferlante 4, record 4, French, d%C3%A9ferlante
correct, feminine noun
- brisant 5, record 4, French, brisant
correct, see observation, masculine noun, less frequent
Record 4, Textual support, French
Record number: 4, Textual support number: 1 DEF
Vague dont la crête s’effondre avec fracas. 6, record 4, French, - vague%20d%C3%A9ferlante
Record number: 4, Textual support number: 1 OBS
La vague déferlante commence par un simple rouleau, grossissant constamment [...] 7, record 4, French, - vague%20d%C3%A9ferlante
Record number: 4, Textual support number: 2 OBS
On distingue trois sortes de déferlantes suivant l’intensité du déferlement : [...] déferlement plongeant; [...]; déferlement frontal [...]; déferlement glissant [...] 8, record 4, French, - vague%20d%C3%A9ferlante
Record number: 4, Textual support number: 3 OBS
brisant : Terme parfois appliqué aux vagues déferlantes. 9, record 4, French, - vague%20d%C3%A9ferlante
Record 4, Spanish
Record 4, Campo(s) temático(s)
- Oceanografía
- Hidrología e hidrografía
Record 4, Main entry term, Spanish
- rompiente
1, record 4, Spanish, rompiente
masculine noun
Record 4, Abbreviations, Spanish
Record 4, Synonyms, Spanish
Record 4, Textual support, Spanish
Record 5 - internal organization data 2007-03-26
Record 5, English
Record 5, Subject field(s)
- Oceanography
- Hydrology and Hydrography
Record 5, Main entry term, English
- plunging breaker
1, record 5, English, plunging%20breaker
correct
Record 5, Abbreviations, English
Record 5, Synonyms, English
- plunging breaking wave 2, record 5, English, plunging%20breaking%20wave
correct
- plunging wave 3, record 5, English, plunging%20wave
correct
- collapsing wave 4, record 5, English, collapsing%20wave
- collapsing breaker 5, record 5, English, collapsing%20breaker
Record 5, Textual support, English
Record number: 5, Textual support number: 1 DEF
[A breaker] associated with beaches with steeper gradients, where wave energy is released suddenly as the crest curls and then descends violently. 1, record 5, English, - plunging%20breaker
Record 5, French
Record 5, Domaine(s)
- Océanographie
- Hydrologie et hydrographie
Record 5, Main entry term, French
- vague plongeante
1, record 5, French, vague%20plongeante
correct, feminine noun
Record 5, Abbreviations, French
Record 5, Synonyms, French
- brisant plongeant 2, record 5, French, brisant%20plongeant
correct, masculine noun
- déferlement en volute 3, record 5, French, d%C3%A9ferlement%20en%20volute
correct, masculine noun
Record 5, Textual support, French
Record number: 5, Textual support number: 1 CONT
La vague commence à prendre la forme d’un rouleau lorsque la vitesse du mouvement orbital des particules propulse celles-ci en hauteur. Lorsqu'il n’ y a pas suffisamment d’eau à l'avant de la vague pour compléter cette dernière de façon symétrique, la crête n’ est plus supportée et elle finit par plonger. Ce type de brisant est appelé vague plongeante. 2, record 5, French, - vague%20plongeante
Record 5, Spanish
Record 5, Textual support, Spanish
Record 6 - internal organization data 2004-11-19
Record 6, English
Record 6, Subject field(s)
- Oceanography
- Atmospheric Physics
Record 6, Main entry term, English
- wave height
1, record 6, English, wave%20height
correct
Record 6, Abbreviations, English
Record 6, Synonyms, English
Record 6, Textual support, English
Record number: 6, Textual support number: 1 DEF
Vertical distance between the trough and crest of a wave. 2, record 6, English, - wave%20height
Record 6, French
Record 6, Domaine(s)
- Océanographie
- Physique de l'atmosphère
Record 6, Main entry term, French
- hauteur de vague
1, record 6, French, hauteur%20de%20vague
correct, feminine noun
Record 6, Abbreviations, French
Record 6, Synonyms, French
- hauteur de houle 2, record 6, French, hauteur%20de%20houle
feminine noun
Record 6, Textual support, French
Record number: 6, Textual support number: 1 DEF
Distance verticale entre le creux et la crête d’une vague. 2, record 6, French, - hauteur%20de%20vague
Record number: 6, Textual support number: 1 CONT
La période d’une houle peut aller jusqu'à 25 secondes environ et sa longueur d’onde dépasser 900 mètres, tandis que la vitesse de phase peut frôler 40 mètres par seconde; ces deux derniers paramètres, à la différence de la période, tendent à décroître en eau peu profonde, ce qui favorise en particulier les phénomènes de déferlement, la diminution de la longueur d’onde pour une hauteur de vague(entre creux et crête) donnée tendant à augmenter la cambrure des vagues. La hauteur des vagues, précisément, est une caractéristique des plus importantes de la houle, dont elle mesure l'amplitude. Mais cette amplitude est très variable, car les vagues se regroupent en «paquets» qu'elles traversent : une vague se forme à l'arrière d’un paquet, se creuse ensuite à mesure qu'elle y progresse vers le milieu, après quoi sa hauteur diminue au contraire jusqu'à s’évanouir à l'avant du paquet. 3, record 6, French, - hauteur%20de%20vague
Record 6, Key term(s)
- hauteur des vagues
- hauteur de vagues
Record 6, Spanish
Record 6, Campo(s) temático(s)
- Oceanografía
- Física de la atmósfera
Record 6, Main entry term, Spanish
- altura de la ola
1, record 6, Spanish, altura%20de%20la%20ola
correct, feminine noun
Record 6, Abbreviations, Spanish
Record 6, Synonyms, Spanish
- altura de una ola 2, record 6, Spanish, altura%20de%20una%20ola
feminine noun
Record 6, Textual support, Spanish
Record number: 6, Textual support number: 1 DEF
Distancia vertical medida desde la cima de una cresta hasta el fondo del valle que la sigue. 1, record 6, Spanish, - altura%20de%20la%20ola
Record 7 - internal organization data 2004-01-05
Record 7, English
Record 7, Subject field(s)
- Oceanography
- Meteorology
Record 7, Main entry term, English
- maritime wave 1, record 7, English, maritime%20wave
Record 7, Abbreviations, English
Record 7, Synonyms, English
Record 7, Textual support, English
Record 7, French
Record 7, Domaine(s)
- Océanographie
- Météorologie
Record 7, Main entry term, French
- onde maritime
1, record 7, French, onde%20maritime
feminine noun
Record 7, Abbreviations, French
Record 7, Synonyms, French
Record 7, Textual support, French
Record number: 7, Textual support number: 1 CONT
Une vague est une autre onde, générée parfois à des milliers de km de l'endroit où elle va exploser. L'onde de vague poursuit son chemin, déviée ça et là par un haut fond, par un courant contraire ou par le vent. Arrivée à proximité de la grève [...] le fond de l'océan remonte, les courants latéraux à la plage agissent et les vents de terre peuvent influer [sur l'onde]. L'onde maritime qui jusque là se propageait de manière rectiligne commence à être chahutée et perturbée dans sa progression. Elle qui faisait le dos rond et portait le nom de houle, commence à se garnir d’écume à sa crête, à se creuser en son flanc, jusqu'à ce que les lois de la physique des fluides l'obligent à se briser dans un tumulte assourdissant. 2, record 7, French, - onde%20maritime
Record 7, Spanish
Record 7, Textual support, Spanish
Record 8 - internal organization data 2003-01-29
Record 8, English
Record 8, Subject field(s)
- Oceanography
- Hydrology and Hydrography
Record 8, Main entry term, English
- wave amplitude 1, record 8, English, wave%20amplitude
Record 8, Abbreviations, English
Record 8, Synonyms, English
Record 8, Textual support, English
Record 8, French
Record 8, Domaine(s)
- Océanographie
- Hydrologie et hydrographie
Record 8, Main entry term, French
- amplitude de la houle
1, record 8, French, amplitude%20de%20la%20houle
feminine noun
Record 8, Abbreviations, French
Record 8, Synonyms, French
- amplitude d'une vague 1, record 8, French, amplitude%20d%27une%20vague
feminine noun
Record 8, Textual support, French
Record number: 8, Textual support number: 1 DEF
Demi-distance verticale entre la crête et le creux d’une vague, d’une lame 1, record 8, French, - amplitude%20de%20la%20houle
Record 8, Spanish
Record 8, Campo(s) temático(s)
- Oceanografía
- Hidrología e hidrografía
Record 8, Main entry term, Spanish
- amplitud de una ola
1, record 8, Spanish, amplitud%20de%20una%20ola
feminine noun
Record 8, Abbreviations, Spanish
Record 8, Synonyms, Spanish
Record 8, Textual support, Spanish
Record 9 - internal organization data 1997-04-08
Record 9, English
Record 9, Subject field(s)
- Fluid Mechanics and Hydraulics (Physics)
Record 9, Main entry term, English
- hollow
1, record 9, English, hollow
noun
Record 9, Abbreviations, English
Record 9, Synonyms, English
- trough of the wave 1, record 9, English, trough%20of%20the%20wave
Record 9, Textual support, English
Record 9, French
Record 9, Domaine(s)
- Mécanique des fluides et hydraulique (Physique)
Record 9, Main entry term, French
- creux
1, record 9, French, creux
masculine noun
Record 9, Abbreviations, French
Record 9, Synonyms, French
- amplitude de la crête à creux 1, record 9, French, amplitude%20de%20la%20cr%C3%AAte%20%C3%A0%20creux
feminine noun
Record 9, Textual support, French
Record number: 9, Textual support number: 1 DEF
Distance verticale entre la crête et le creux d’une vague. 1, record 9, French, - creux
Record 9, Spanish
Record 9, Campo(s) temático(s)
- Mecánica de fluidos e hidráulica (Física)
Record 9, Main entry term, Spanish
- seno del onda
1, record 9, Spanish, seno%20del%20onda
masculine noun
Record 9, Abbreviations, Spanish
Record 9, Synonyms, Spanish
Record 9, Textual support, Spanish
Record 10 - internal organization data 1979-03-02
Record 10, English
Record 10, Subject field(s)
- Physical Geography (General)
Record 10, Main entry term, English
Record 10, Abbreviations, English
Record 10, Synonyms, English
Record 10, Textual support, English
Record number: 10, Textual support number: 1 OBS
A deep water wave whose crest is pushed forward by a strong wind and is much larger than a whitecap. 1, record 10, English, - comber
Record 10, French
Record 10, Domaine(s)
- Géographie physique (Généralités)
Record 10, Main entry term, French
- vague crêtée 1, record 10, French, vague%20cr%C3%AAt%C3%A9e
Record 10, Abbreviations, French
Record 10, Synonyms, French
Record 10, Textual support, French
Record number: 10, Textual support number: 1 OBS
Vague se propageant en eau profonde, dont la crête se brise sous l'action d’un vent fort, sur une largeur plus grande que dans le cas des moutons. 1, record 10, French, - vague%20cr%C3%AAt%C3%A9e
Record 10, Spanish
Record 10, Textual support, Spanish
Record 11 - internal organization data 1977-03-28
Record 11, English
Record 11, Subject field(s)
- Hydrology and Hydrography
- Geology
Record 11, Main entry term, English
- swash
1, record 11, English, swash
correct, noun
Record 11, Abbreviations, English
Record 11, Synonyms, English
Record 11, Textual support, English
Record number: 11, Textual support number: 1 OBS
A body of swift, dashing water (...) 1, record 11, English, - swash
Record 11, French
Record 11, Domaine(s)
- Hydrologie et hydrographie
- Géologie
Record 11, Main entry term, French
- langue d'écume
1, record 11, French, langue%20d%27%C3%A9cume
correct
Record 11, Abbreviations, French
Record 11, Synonyms, French
Record 11, Textual support, French
Record number: 11, Textual support number: 1 OBS
La crête dressée [de la vague de déferlement] bascule vers l'avant en lançant une "langue d’écume". 1, record 11, French, - langue%20d%27%C3%A9cume
Record 11, Spanish
Record 11, Textual support, Spanish
Copyright notice for the TERMIUM Plus® data bank
© Public Services and Procurement Canada, 2025
TERMIUM Plus®, the Government of Canada's terminology and linguistic data bank
A product of the Translation Bureau
Features
Language Portal of Canada

Access a collection of Canadian resources on all aspects of English and French, including quizzes.
Writing tools

The Language Portal’s writing tools have a new look! Easy to consult, they give you access to a wealth of information that will help you write better in English and French.
Glossaries and vocabularies

Access Translation Bureau glossaries and vocabularies.
- Date Modified: