relativity

relativity
noun (plural -ties) Date: circa 1834 1. a. the quality or state of being relative b. something that is relative 2. the state of being dependent for existence on or determined in nature, value, or quality by relation to something else 3. a. a theory which is based on the two postulates (1) that the speed of light in a vacuum is constant and independent of the source or observer and (2) that the mathematical forms of the laws of physics are invariant in all inertial systems and which leads to the assertion of the equivalence of mass and energy and of change in mass, dimension, and time with increased velocity — called also special relativity, special theory of relativity b. an extension of the theory to include gravitation and related acceleration phenomena — called also general relativity, general theory of relativity 4. relativism 1b

New Collegiate Dictionary. 2001.

Игры ⚽ Поможем написать курсовую

Look at other dictionaries:

  • Relativity — may refer to:Physics* Special relativity, a theory of physics formulated by Albert Einstein * General relativity, Einstein s theory of gravitation * Albert Einstein s theory of relativity, which refers to both special relativity and general… …   Wikipedia

  • relativity — el a*tiv i*ty ( t?v ? t?), n. 1. The state of being relative; as, the relativity of a subject. Coleridge. [1913 Webster] 2. One of two theories (also called {theory of relativity}) proposed by Albert Einstein, the {special theory of relativity},… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • relativity — [rel΄ə tiv′ə tē] n. 1. the condition, fact, or quality of being relative 2. the close dependence of one occurrence, value, quality, etc. on another 3. Philos. a) RELATIVISM b) RELATIVITY OF KNOWLEDGE 4. Physics …   English World dictionary

  • Relativity — Titre original Relativity Genre Série dramatique Créateur(s) Jason Katims Pays d’origine  États Unis …   Wikipédia en Français

  • relativity — 1834, fact or condition of being relative, from relative (adj.) (see RELATIVE (Cf. relative) (n.)); first attested in Coleridge. In scientific use, connected to the theory of Albert Einstein (1879 1955), published 1905 (special theory of… …   Etymology dictionary

  • relativity — theory …   Philosophy dictionary

  • relativity — index analogy, chain (nexus), proportion Burton s Legal Thesaurus. William C. Burton. 2006 …   Law dictionary

  • relativity — ► NOUN 1) the absence of standards of absolute and universal application. 2) Physics a description of matter, energy, space, and time according to Einstein s theories based on the importance of relative motion and the principle that the speed of… …   English terms dictionary

  • relativity — /rel euh tiv i tee/, n. 1. the state or fact of being relative. 2. Physics. a theory, formulated essentially by Albert Einstein, that all motion must be defined relative to a frame of reference and that space and time are relative, rather than… …   Universalium

  • relativity — (Roget s IV) n. 1. [The physical theory of the relativity and interdependence of matter, time, and space] Syn. restricted relativity, special relativity, theory of general relativity, the curvilinear universe, the denial of the absolute, time as… …   English dictionary for students

Share the article and excerpts

Direct link
… Do a right-click on the link above
and select “Copy Link”