quantize

American  

[kwon-tahyz] / ˈkwɒn taɪz /

especially British, quantise

verb (used with object)

quantized, quantizing

1. Mathematics, Physics. to restrict (a variable quantity) to discrete values rather than to a continuous set of values.

2. Physics. to change the description of (a physical system) from classical to quantum-mechanical, usually resulting in discrete values for observable quantities, as energy or angular momentum.

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quantize British  

/ ˈkwɒntaɪz /

verb

1. physics to restrict (a physical quantity) to one of a set of values characterized by quantum numbers

2. maths to limit (a variable) to values that are integral multiples of a basic unit

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quantize Scientific  

/ kwŏn′tīz′ /

1. To limit a variable or variables describing a physical system to discrete, distinct values. For example, the energy of electromagnetic radiation such as light at a given frequency must be an integer multiple of hν, where ν is the frequency and h is a Planck's constant; electromagnetic energy is thus inherently quantized (in this case, photons are the quanta of energy). The distinct orbitals of electrons in an atom are also a case of quantized energy. Many apparently continuous phenomena turn out to be quantized at a very fine level or very small scale; quantum mechanics was developed in large part to explain many unexpected cases of quantization in the natural world.

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Other Word Forms

• quantization
  noun

Etymology

Origin of quantize

First recorded in 1920–25; quant(um) + -ize

Example Sentences

Some have said it was a failure to quantize his compositions, a feature in digital recording that eliminates human error and puts the timing of drum beats in their “correct” place.

From New York Times • Feb. 1, 2022

Even something as small as “I’m not just going to quantize this beat”… It’s finding kindred spirits in people who are able to make people see a different kind of beauty.

From MSNBC • Feb. 10, 2015