time paradox
American-
Also called temporal paradox. (in science fiction) a hypothetical contradiction of cause-and-effect within a timeline that results from traveling back in time, as in the bootstrap paradox or the grandfather paradox.
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Physics, Thermodynamics. Sometimes paradox of time the contradiction between the concept of time in quantum physics, according to the theory of relativity, where processes are time-symmetric and reversible, and the concept of time in thermodynamics, according to the second law of thermodynamics, where processes have a direction and are irreversible.
Etymology
Origin of time paradox
First recorded in 1905–10
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
What’s more, the character of Zurg isn’t all that much of a threat, as it turns out, and the big battle scene is ultimately a way to resolve a time paradox.
From Washington Post ● Jun. 14, 2022
Especially with a story like that where there’s natural conflict because of this time paradox.
From Seattle Times ● Apr. 22, 2022
Surely some elaborate don't-cross-the-streams time paradox is readying to crash down through the immaculate structure's glass ceiling.
From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 19, 2015
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
