spinor

noun

spin·​or ˈspi-nər How to pronounce spinor (audio)
-ˌnȯr
: a vector whose components are complex numbers in a two-dimensional or four-dimensional space and which is used especially in the mathematics of the theory of relativity

Word History

Etymology

International Scientific Vocabulary spin + -or (as in vector)

First Known Use

1931, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of spinor was in 1931

Dictionary Entries Near spinor

Cite this Entry

“Spinor.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/spinor. Accessed 21 Dec. 2024.

More from Merriam-Webster on spinor

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!