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parallax

noun

  1. change in apparent angular position with change in observing location
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Wiktionary

Pronunciation: /ˈpæɹ.əˌlæks/ / /ˈpaɹəˌlaks/

noun

Etymology: From Middle French parallaxe, from Ancient Greek παράλλαξις (parállaxis, “alteration”) from παραλλάσσω (parallássō, “to cause to alternate”) from ἀλλάσσω (allássō, “to alter”) from ἄλλος (állos, “other”). By surface analysis, par- + all- + -ax.

  1. An apparent shift in the position of two stationary objects relative to each other as viewed by an observer, due to a change in observer position.

    […] Heliocentrick places, to which the Parallaxes being applied, give the Geocentrick.

    Planes farther back on the z-axis scroll more slowly than those in front of them, producing a parallax effect. Early games with parallax scrolling tended to have their action taking place all in the forefront plane […]

  2. The angle of seeing of the astronomical unit.

verb

Etymology: From Middle French parallaxe, from Ancient Greek παράλλαξις (parállaxis, “alteration”) from παραλλάσσω (parallássō, “to cause to alternate”) from ἀλλάσσω (allássō, “to alter”) from ἄλλος (állos, “other”). By surface analysis, par- + all- + -ax.

  1. To measure (a distance) based on parallax observations.
  2. To produce an illusion of levels of distance by shifting layers at different rates.