Space
Space is the boundless three-dimensional extent in which objects and events have relative position and direction. Physical space is often conceived in three linear dimensions, although modern physicists usually consider it, with time, to be part of a boundless four-dimensional continuum known as spacetime. The concept of space is considered to be of fundamental importance to an understanding of the physical universe. However, disagreement continues between philosophers over whether it is itself an entity, a relationship between entities, or part of a conceptual framework.
Debates concerning the nature, essence and the mode of existence of space date back to antiquity; namely, to treatises like the Timaeus of Plato, or Socrates in his reflections on what the Greeks called khôra (i.e. “space”), or in the Physics of Aristotle (Book IV, Delta) in the definition of topos (i.e. place), or in the later “geometrical conception of place” as “space qua extension” in the Discourse on Place (Qawl fi al-Makan) of the 11th-century Arab polymath Alhazen. Many of these classical philosophical questions were discussed in the Renaissance and then reformulated in the 17th century, particularly during the early development of classical mechanics. In Isaac Newton’s view, space was absolute—in the sense that it existed permanently and independently of whether there was any matter in the space. Other natural philosophers, notably Gottfried Leibniz, thought instead that space was in fact a collection of relations between objects, given by their distance and direction from one another. In the 18th century, the philosopher and theologian George Berkeley attempted to refute the “visibility of spatial depth” in his Essay Towards a New Theory of Vision. Later, the metaphysician Immanuel Kant said that the concepts of space and time are not empirical ones derived from experiences of the outside world—they are elements of an already given systematic framework that humans possess and use to structure all experiences. Kant referred to the experience of “space” in his Critique of Pure Reason as being a subjective “pure a priori form of intuition”.
In the 19th and 20th centuries mathematicians began to examine geometries that are non-Euclidean, in which space is conceived as curved, rather than flat. According to Albert Einstein’s theory of general relativity, space around gravitational fields deviates from Euclidean space. Experimental tests of general relativity have confirmed that non-Euclidean geometries provide a better model for the shape of space.
Gap (noun)
An opening in anything made by breaking or parting.
“He made a gap in the fence by kicking at a weak spot.”
Gap (noun)
An opening allowing passage or entrance.
“We can slip through that gap between the buildings.”
Gap (noun)
An opening that implies a breach or defect.
“There is a gap between the roof and the gutter.”
Gap (noun)
A vacant space or time.
“I have a gap in my schedule next Tuesday.”
Gap (noun)
A hiatus, a pause in something which is otherwise continuous.
“I’m taking a gap.”
“You must wait for a gap in the traffic before crossing the road.”
Gap (noun)
A vacancy, deficit, absence, or lack.
“Their departure has left a gap in the workforce.”
“Find words to fill the gaps in an incomplete sentence.”
“ux|en|She has a gap in her teeth. (see also gap-toothed)”
Gap (noun)
A mountain or hill pass.
“The exploring party went through the high gap in the mountains.”
Gap (noun)
A sheltered area of coast between two cliffs (mostly restricted to place names).
“At Birling Gap we can stop and go have a picnic on the beach.”
Gap (noun)
The regions between the outfielders.
“Jones doubled through the gap.”
Gap (noun)
The shortfall between the amount the medical insurer will pay to the service provider and the scheduled fee for the item.
Gap (noun)
(usually written as “the gap”) The disparity between the indigenous and non-indigenous communities with regard to life expectancy, education, health, etc.
Gap (noun)
An unsequenced region in a sequence alignment.
Gap (verb)
To notch, as a sword or knife.
Gap (verb)
To make an opening in; to breach.
Gap (verb)
To check the size of a gap.
“I gapped all the spark plugs in my car, but then realized I had used the wrong manual and had made them too small.”
Space (noun)
Of time.
Space (noun)
Free time; leisure, opportunity. from 14thc.
Space (noun)
A specific (specified) period of time. from 14thc.
Space (noun)
Unlimited or generalized extent, physical or otherwise.
Space (noun)
An undefined period of time (without qualifier, especially a short period); a while. from 15thc.
Space (noun)
Distance between things. from 14thc.
Space (noun)
Physical extent across two or three dimensions; area, volume (sometimes for or to do something). from 14thc.
Space (noun)
Physical extent in all directions, seen as an attribute of the universe (now usually considered as a part of space-time), or a mathematical model of this. from 17thc.
Space (noun)
The near-vacuum in which planets, stars and other celestial objects are situated; the universe beyond the earth’s atmosphere. from 17thc.
Space (noun)
A bounded or specific extent, physical or otherwise.
Space (noun)
The physical and psychological area one needs within which to live or operate; personal freedom. from 20thc.
Space (noun)
A (chiefly empty) area or volume with set limits or boundaries. from 14thc.
Space (noun)
A position on the staff or stave bounded by lines. from 15thc.
Space (noun)
A gap in text between words, lines etc., or a digital character used to create such a gap. from 16thc.
Space (noun)
A piece of metal type used to separate words, cast lower than other type so as not to take ink, especially one that is narrower than one en (compare quad). from 17thc.
Space (noun)
A gap; an empty place. from 17thc.
Space (noun)
A set of points, each of which is uniquely specified by a number (the dimensionality) of coordinates.
Space (noun)
A generalized construct or set whose members have some property in common; typically there will be a geometric metaphor allowing these members to be viewed as “points”. Often used with a restricting modifier describing the members (e.g. vector space), or indicating the inventor of the construct (e.g. Hilbert space). from 20thc.
“Functional analysis is best approached through a sound knowledge of Hilbert space theory.”
Space (verb)
To roam, walk, wander.
Space (verb)
To set some distance apart.
Space (verb)
To insert or utilise spaces in a written text.
Space (verb)
To eject into outer space, usually without a space suit.
Space (verb)
To travel into and through outer space.
Space Illustrations
