In computer graphics: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mipmap
In synthesis/oscillators when we do mip mapping, we store waveforms as short sample loops, and for each waveform we have a dozen or so variants of each waveform that have fewer and fewer overtones. Such that, at different oscillator frequencies we use that variant of the waveform which has few enough harmonics to play back without audible aliasing.
