FitzGerald contraction

American  

noun

Physics.

1. the hypothesis that a moving body exhibits a contraction in the direction of motion when its velocity is close to the speed of light.

---

Etymology

Origin of FitzGerald contraction

First recorded in 1915–20; named after G. F. FitzGerald

Example Sentences

So fast was his action, The Fitzgerald contraction, Reduced his rapier to a disk.

From New York Times

Finally, everyone loves limericks, and here’s one about the Fitzgerald contraction mentioned in problem 2.

From New York Times

The Fitzgerald Contraction does funny things.

From Project Gutenberg

But because of the Fitzgerald Contraction, a man who shipped out to space could never live a normal life on Earth again.

From Project Gutenberg

The Fitzgerald Contraction does funny things, Alan repeated to himself, as he methodically chewed his way through the rest of his meal and got on line to bring the dishes to the yawning hopper that would carry them down to the molecular cleansers.

From Project Gutenberg