having or involving a speed close to that of light so that the behaviour is described by the theory of relativity rather than by Newtonian mechanics
a relativistic electron
a relativistic velocity
2. physics
of, concerned with, or involving relativity
3.
of or relating to relativism
Derived forms
relativistically (ˌrelativˈistically)
adverb
relativistic in American English
(ˌrelətəˈvɪstɪk)
adjective
1.
of or pertaining to relativity or relativism
2. Physics
a.
subject to the special or the general theory of relativity
b. (of a velocity)
having a magnitude that is a significant fraction of the speed of light
c. (of a particle)
having a relativistic velocity:
radiation from relativistic electrons
Derived forms
relativistically
adverb
Word origin
[1885–90; relativist + -ic]This word is first recorded in the period 1885–90. Other words that entered Englishat around the same time include: booster, reactor, retread, seminar, zoom-ic is a suffix forming adjectives from other parts of speech, occurring originally inGreek and Latin loanwords (metallic; poetic; archaic; public) and, on this model, used as an adjective-forming suffix with the particular senses“having some characteristics of” (opposed to the simple attributive use of the basenoun) (balletic; sophomoric); “in the style of” (Byronic; Miltonic); “pertaining to a family of peoples or languages” (Finnic; Semitic; Turkic)
Examples of 'relativistic' in a sentence
relativistic
History of science became relativistic and multicultural.
The Times Literary Supplement (2011)
And this naturally leads towards a relativistic position.
The Times Literary Supplement (2015)
Relativistic quantum mechanics gives nature its stability.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
For instance, sociologists have advocated a relativistic study of the history of science.
The Times Literary Supplement (2015)
Peace and stability - even 'humanity' - are preserved by resolutely autonomous, sceptical, relativistic individuals.
The Times Literary Supplement (2013)
This relativistic theory of the electron had been shown to entail the existence of an equally massive positively charged 'anti-electron'.
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
He has become a victim of the 'gradual', the relativistic slippage of time between the islands.