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Webster 1913 Edition


Momentum

Mo-men′tum

,
Noun.
;
pl. L.
Momenta
(#)
, F.
Momentums
(#)
.
[L. See
Moment
.]
1.
(Mech.)
The quantity of motion in a moving body, being always proportioned to the quantity of matter multiplied by the velocity; impetus.
2.
Essential element, or constituent element.
I shall state the several
momenta
of the distinction in separate propositions.
Sir W. Hamilton.

Webster 1828 Edition


Momentum

MOMENT'UM

,
Noun.
[L.] In mechanics, impetus; the quantity of motion in a moving body. This is always equal to the quantity of matter multiplied into the velocity.

Definition 2024


momentum

momentum

English

Noun

momentum (plural momentums or momenta)

  1. (physics) (of a body in motion) The tendency of a body to maintain its inertial motion; the product of its mass and velocity.
  2. The impetus, either of a body in motion, or of an idea or course of events. (i.e: a moment)
    • 1843, Nathaniel Hawthorne, "The Old Apple Dealer", in Mosses from an Old Manse
      The travellers swarm forth from the cars. All are full of the momentum which they have caught from their mode of conveyance.
    • 1882, Thomas Hardy, Two on a Tower
      Their intention to become husband and wife, at first halting and timorous, had accumulated momentum with the lapse of hours, till it now bore down every obstacle in its course.
    • 2013 September 14, Jane Shilling, “The Golden Thread: the Story of Writing, by Ewan Clayton, review [print edition: Illuminating language]”, in The Daily Telegraph (Review), page R29:
      Though his account of written communication over the past 5,000 years necessarily has a powerful forward momentum, his diversions down the fascinating byways of the subject are irresistible ...

Derived terms

Translations

See also


Latin

Etymology

From *movimentum, from moveō (move, set in motion; excite) + -mentum (suffix used to forming nouns from verbs).

Pronunciation

  • (Classical) IPA(key): /moːˈmen.tum/, [moːˈmɛn.tũ]

Noun

mōmentum n (genitive mōmentī); second declension

  1. movement, motion, impulse; course
  2. change, revolution, movement, disturbance
  3. particle, part, point
  4. (of time) brief space, moment, short time
  5. cause, circumstance; weight, influence, moment
  6. importance
  7. (New Latin, physics) momentum

Inflection

Second declension.

Case Singular Plural
nominative mōmentum mōmenta
genitive mōmentī mōmentōrum
dative mōmentō mōmentīs
accusative mōmentum mōmenta
ablative mōmentō mōmentīs
vocative mōmentum mōmenta

Derived terms

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References