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Vinony

chaos theory

noun

  1. a branch of mathematical and physical theory that deals with the nature and consequences of chaos and chaotic systems
L1407617 on Wikidata ↗

Wiktionary

Pronunciation: /ˌkeɪɒs ˈθɪəɹi/ / /ˌkeɪˌɑs ˈθiəɹi/ / /-ˈθɪɹi/

noun

Etymology: Etymology tree English chaos English theory English chaos theory From chaos + theory.

  1. The study of chaos or disorder in systems, specifically iterative non-linear systems in which arbitrarily small variations in initial conditions become magnified over time, and where within apparent randomness there are underlying patterns; (countable) one of such theories.

    “Theoretical and numerical modelling research promises to bring us tantalizingly close to deterministic climate prediction in the near future, while proponents of "chaos" theories hint that prediction may be an illusive dream.”

    “[David] Warsh gives three diverse examples spread throughout our century and indicating the broad nature of this punctuational challenge to gradualism (he might have supplied many more, including catastrophe and chaos theories in mathematics, and [Michel] Foucault's notions of social and intellectual change): […]”