relativistic

[ rel-uh-tuh-vis-tik ]
/ ˌrɛl ə təˈvɪs tɪk /

adjective

of or relating to relativity or relativism.
Physics.
  1. subject to the special or the general theory of relativity.
  2. (of a velocity) having a magnitude that is a significant fraction of the speed of light.
  3. (of a particle) having a relativistic velocity: radiation from relativistic electrons.

Origin of relativistic

First recorded in 1885–90; relativist + -ic

OTHER WORDS FROM relativistic

rel·a·tiv·is·ti·cal·ly, adverb ul·tra·rel·a·tiv·is·tic, adjective un·rel·a·tiv·is·tic, adjective

Words nearby relativistic

relatively, relatively prime numbers, relativeness, relativism, relativist, relativistic, relativistic mass, relativistic quantum mechanics, relativity, relativize, relator

Example sentences from the Web for relativistic

  • The man had used a simplified quantum mechanics without correction for relativistic effects.

    Security |Poul William Anderson

British Dictionary definitions for relativistic

relativistic
/ (ˌrɛlətɪˈvɪstɪk) /

adjective

physics having or involving a speed close to that of light so that the behaviour is described by the theory of relativity rather than by Newtonian mechanics a relativistic electron; a relativistic velocity
physics of, concerned with, or involving relativity
of or relating to relativism

Derived forms of relativistic

relativistically, adverb

Scientific definitions for relativistic

relativity
[ rĕl′ə-tĭv′ĭ-tē ]

Either of two theories in physics developed by Albert Einstein, General Relativity or Special Relativity. See Notes at Einstein gravity space-time.

Other words from relativity

relativistic adjective