English Dictionary

METASTABLE

Pronunciation (US): Play  (GB): Play

 Dictionary entry overview: What does metastable mean? 

METASTABLE (adjective)
  The adjective METASTABLE has 1 sense:

1. (of physical systems) continuing in its present state of equilibrium unless sufficiently disturbed to pass to a more stable state of equilibriumplay

  Familiarity information: METASTABLE used as an adjective is very rare.


 Dictionary entry details 


METASTABLE (adjective)


Sense 1

Meaning:

(of physical systems) continuing in its present state of equilibrium unless sufficiently disturbed to pass to a more stable state of equilibrium

Classified under:

Relational adjectives (pertainyms)

Domain category:

natural philosophy; physics (the science of matter and energy and their interactions)

Pertainym:

metastability (the quality of a physical system that persists in its existing equilibrium when undisturbed (or only slightly disturbed) but able to pass to a more stable equilibrium when sufficiently disturbed)


 Context examples 


Both Cs 137 and its metastable nuclear isomer, barium-137m, emit gamma radiation of moderate energy and so are used in sterilization procedures in the food industry or in hospital environments.

(Cesium Cs 137, NCI Thesaurus)



 Learn English with... Proverbs 
"No man is content with his lot." (English proverb)

"Singing is for dinner, grief for lunch." (Albanian proverb)

"People are enemies of that which they don't know." (Arabic proverb)

"A crazy father and mother make sensible children." (Corsican proverb)



ALSO IN ENGLISH DICTIONARY:


© 2000-2023 AudioEnglish.org | AudioEnglish® is a Registered Trademark | Terms of use and privacy policy
Contact