FitzGerald contraction
noun Physics.
the hypothesis that a moving body exhibits a contraction in the direction of motion when its velocity is close to the speed of light.
Origin of FitzGerald contraction
First recorded in 1915–20; named after G. F. FitzGerald
Also called Fitz·Ger·ald-Lo·rentz contrac·tion [fits-jer-uh ld lawr-ents, -lohr-] /fɪtsˈdʒɛr əld ˈlɔr ɛnts, -ˈloʊr-/, Lorentz-FitzGerald contraction, Lorentz contraction, length contraction.
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Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2020