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Glite Dictionary
peculiar velocity

peculiar velocity

9.9
The speed of an object compared with the average movement of nearby stars or gas
  • noun
  • /pɪˈkjuljər vəˈlɑsɪti/
  • Specialized
translation icon : velocidad peculiar
  • Astronomers calculate the peculiar velocity to better understand galactic motion.

Examples

  • The peculiar velocity of the galaxy surprised astronomers.

  • The peculiar velocity of the star indicates it is moving differently from its neighbors.

  • Changes in a galaxy's peculiar velocity can reveal interactions with other galaxies.

  • Can you explain what peculiar velocity means?

  • Astronomers often study the peculiar velocity of a galaxy to understand its movement relative to the surrounding space.

  • By analyzing the peculiar velocity of stars, scientists can infer the gravitational influence of nearby galaxies.

  • The peculiar velocity of an object helps astronomers determine how it is moving in relation to the cosmic background.

Surface Forms

peculiar velocity singular
peculiar velocities plural

Morphology

peculiar + velocity

The phrase is compositionally built from 'peculiar' (meaning specific or characteristic) + 'velocity', so a B1 learner could infer it refers to an object's own or unusual speed. However, the precise astronomical meaning — speed relative to the local standard of rest — is technical and not fully predictable from the words (and 'peculiar' can also be interpreted as 'strange'), so prior domain exposure is likely needed.

Etymology

Peculiar velocity paints a picture of someone in a crowd moving their own way. Peculiar means 'different' and velocity means 'speed', so astronomers use the phrase to say a star or galaxy is moving differently from its nearby objects.