Newtonian
|New-to-ni-an|
🇺🇸
/njuːˈtoʊniən/
🇬🇧
/njuːˈtəʊniən/
related to Newton or his physics
Etymology
'Newtonian' originates from English, formed from the surname 'Newton' plus the suffix '-ian', where the suffix '-ian' means 'related to' or 'belonging to'.
'Newtonian' developed from the proper name 'Newton' (from Isaac Newton, 17th–18th centuries) with the adjectival/denominal suffix '-ian' to mean 'of or relating to Newton'; it later came to denote adherence to his scientific doctrines and the broader concept of classical mechanics.
Initially it meant 'of or pertaining to Isaac Newton (the man)', but over time it evolved to mean 'relating to Newton's theories/principles', especially classical mechanics, and to refer to adherents of those theories.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
a person who follows, advocates, or works within the framework of Newton's theories; a proponent of Newtonian physics.
As a Newtonian, she emphasized deterministic laws when modelling planetary motion.
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Adjective 1
relating to or characteristic of the scientific principles of Sir Isaac Newton, especially classical mechanics (laws of motion and universal gravitation).
Newtonian mechanics accurately describes many everyday motions, such as a ball rolling on the floor.
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Last updated: 2025/10/14 07:00