Is the use of the word "cadence" acceptable in the phrase rocket launch cadence?
Rocket launches have traditionally required a certain delay between one and the next, so if there are say 20 per year at a given site, the assume some degree of ordered spacing between one and the next of a few weeks, though still somewhat irregular.
I have seen many references to the term "launch cadence", then was told this usage is incorrect.
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NASA Spaceflight: With Block 5, SpaceX to increase launch cadence and lower prices
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Ars Technica: SpaceX has long talked a good game about increasing its launch cadence,
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Space News SpaceX aims to follow a banner year with an even faster 2018 launch cadence
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reddit.com/r/SpaceXLounge: Launch cadence !
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Quora: How does SpaceX's launch cadence compare to competitors in the industry?
The OED definition uses references to speech or music:
A modulation or inflection of the voice. ‘the measured cadences that he employed in the Senate’
A sequence of notes or chords comprising the close of a musical phrase. ‘the final cadences of the Prelude’
though a sub-definition of 1 does say:
1.3 [mass noun] Rhythm. ‘the thumping cadence of the engines’
which seems to be workable.
Likewise, from Merriam Webster:
1a: a rhythmic sequence or flow of sounds in language
b: the beat, time, or measure of rhythmical motion or activity
- The drill sergeant counted cadence.
- the steady cadence of the drums
Question: Does the MW definition allow this usage for rocket launches? Does the OED?
I'm not asking for synonyms (e.g. rhythm, frequency, tempo, rate) but trying to understand if I should be comfortable using the word cadence within the phrase launch cadence without feeling like I am misusing the word.
Your question is thoroughly researched. Example of usage in rocketry is well noted. I was surprised to find 6 or so major dictionaries primarily or exclusively referenced cadence usage to music, speech etc. Only one provided the following:
cadence TFD citing Kernerman Webster's College Dictionary
- the flow or rhythm of events.
My sense is that you should be comfortable using the word cadence within the phrase launch cadence without a feeling of misusing the word. It may be 'dictionary lag', but its recent and current usage is undeniable.