light cone

[ lahyt kohn ]

noun

, Astrophysics.

1. a theoretical space-time diagram in three dimensions, represented as a cone, or two cones with one in the past and one in the future, and modeling the space that light from an event or a particle traveling at the speed of light from that event can occupy.

Word History and Origins

Origin of light cone¹

First recorded in 1920–25

Example Sentences

I leaned back again; and I watched the whole of the light-cone.

From Project Gutenberg

For a moment Grace was dazzled by the brightness of the light cone, and the darkness of the remainder of the room.

From Project Gutenberg