space-time continuum
13
8.1
- noun
- /ˈspeɪsˌtaɪm kənˈtɪn.ju.əm/
- Specialized
:
continuo espacio-tiempo
- In his lecture, he explained how gravity affects the space-time continuum and the flow of time.
It is the fabric of the space-time continuum warped back on itself.
- It is the fabric of the space-time continuum warped back on itself.
- So you're doing in the space-time continuum, you're representing meanings at different times.
- Because I, I wouldn't want to, I'd want to be very careful with the space-time continuum up until that point.
Examples
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"And I fear that unnecessary time travel "only risks further disruption of the space-time continuum.
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Which is the only thing capable of rupturing the space-time continuum.
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Could even end up outside of our space-time continuum.
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Their life signs are phasing in and out of our space-time continuum.
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Each time we used the machine, the rift in the space-time continuum did not disappear.
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OK... so there's always been this theory that there are many different planes of existence along the space-time continuum.
Blog text (19) -
The events, which you are witnessing, have proven my theories regarding the truly fragile nature of the space-time continuum.
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Behind these more apparent transformations, however, lies a more subtle change in the understanding of the relation between the space-time continuum and physical matter.
Academic text (2009) -
A corruption in the tidal drag has caused a rift in the space-time continuum.
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Today, these inquiries proceed in conversation with modern physics and cosmology, which teach us that time itself cannot be abstracted from space but is part of a space-time continuum.
Academic text (2002)
Synonyms
46
7.9
A way of seeing space and time as one thing
8
8.0
The single thing made of space and time where everything happens
Surface Forms
Morphology
space-time + continuum
The phrase is compositionally built from the known elements 'space' and 'time' plus 'continuum' (a continuous range), so a learner who knows those words can infer it denotes a continuous framework unifying space and time. Although technical, it follows transparent scientific naming conventions and has direct cross-linguistic parallels, making the meaning predictable from its parts.
Etymology
Space-time continuum comes from the image of joining space and time into one sheet. Imagine points on the sheet showing where and when things happen; when the sheet bends, their paths change, so the phrase means 'the combined space and time where events happen'.