n. [ LL. intensitas: cf. F. intensité. See Intense. ] [ 1913 Webster ]
1. The state or quality of being intense; intenseness; extreme degree; as, intensity of heat, cold, mental application, passion, etc. [ 1913 Webster ]
If you would deepen the intensity of light, you must be content to bring into deeper blackness and more distinct and definite outline the shade that accompanies it. F. W. Robertson. [ 1913 Webster ]
2. (Physics) The amount or degree of energy with which a force operates or a cause acts; effectiveness, as estimated by results produced. [ 1913 Webster ]
3. (Mech.) The magnitude of a distributed force, as pressure, stress, weight, etc., per unit of surface, or of volume, as the case may be; as, the measure of the intensity of a total stress of forty pounds which is distributed uniformly over a surface of four square inches area is ten pounds per square inch. [ 1913 Webster ]
4. (Photog.) The degree or depth of color or shade in a picture. [ 1913 Webster ]