non-dimensionaladj.
/ˌnɒndʌɪˈmɛnʃn̩(ə)l/, /ˌnɒndʌɪˈmɛnʃən(ə)l/, /ˌnɒndᵻˈmɛnʃn̩(ə)l/, /ˌnɒndᵻˈmɛnʃən(ə)l/, U.S. /ˌnɑndəˈmɛn(t)ʃən(ə)l/, /ˌnɑndəˈmɛn(t)ʃn(ə)l/, /ˌnɑndaɪˈmɛn(t)ʃən(ə)l/, /ˌnɑndaɪˈmɛn(t)ʃn(ə)l/ 1. Lacking dimension; having no extent in any spatial dimension; = dimensionless adj. 1a.
ΘΚΠ
the world > existence and causation > existence > materiality > immateriality > [adjective] > having no extension or position in space
illocal1601
dimensionless1667
unextended1674
indistant1678
unbulky1678
unspatial1865
non-dimensional1884
extensionless1919
1884 E. A. Abbott Flatland ii. xx. 91 That Point is a Being like ourselves, but confined to the non-dimensional Gulf.
1986 Los Angeles Times (Electronic ed.) 3 Aug. The inherent narrative convolutions—replete with flashbacks, flash-forwards, dream sequences, mystical flights and non-dimensional characters seemingly lifted from ancient urns—proved anti-vocal, even anti-operatic.
1994 Los Angeles Times (Electronic ed.) 6 Nov. It's not real. You are in a non-dimensional sort of space. In leaving it a little bit more free and loose, we don't have to make anything literal.
2. Science. Of a physical quantity: having a numerical value independent of the choice of units of measurement; = dimensionless adj. 1d. Also (of an equation): composed of dimensionless terms.
ΘΚΠ
the world > relative properties > number > mathematical number or quantity > [adjective] > prime > dimensionless
non-dimensional1904
the world > relative properties > number > algebra > [adjective] > relating to expressions > relating to equations
algebraic1657
lateral1670
explicable1706
unreduced1762
homogeneous1815
resolvent1860
Pellian1862
equational1864
canonizant1879
variational1879
unilateral1884
non-dimensional1904
open1937
inhomogeneous1943
stiff1952
1904 Proc. Royal Soc. 74 365 The non-dimensional number ε defined by the equation ε = r/(R − r).
1948 Jrnl. Marine Res. 7 280 One type of nondimensional number, the Richardson number..r = gE/(V′)2.
1956 A. A. Townsend Struct. Turbulent Shear Flow v. 91 By substituting in the equation of mean motion.., the non-dimensional equation is obtained.
1971 Nature 13 Aug. 447/3 The system is then arranged so that the equations of motion have the same form whether they are dimensional or non-dimensional.
1991 Acta Metallurgica et Materialia 39 2653/1 Figure 3 plots the growth of the same crack in non-dimensional units.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, December 2003; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
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adj.1884