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Anonymous Posted 18 years ago
Vocabulary
dynamic vs. dynamical
I'd be grateful if someone would advise me about the correct usage of the adjective "dynamic" vs. the adjective "dynamical". Are they entirely interchangeable?
Top answer
Hi, The common meaning of 'dynamic' is energetic/active, although it does have other meanings related to physics. My dictionary does include ' dynamical' - of or concerning dynamics . However, I don't think I've ever heard or read 'dynamical'.
- Hi, The common meaning of 'dynamic' is energetic/active, although it does have other meanings related to physics.
- My dictionary does include ' dynamical' - of or concerning dynamics .
- However, I don't think I've ever heard or read 'dynamical'.
- I didn't even know there was such a word.
- Best wishes,Clive
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4 Answers
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Hi,
The common meaning of 'dynamic' is energetic/active, although it does have other meanings related to physics.
My dictionary does include 'dynamical' - of or concerning dynamics.
However, I don't think I've ever heard or read 'dynamical'. I didn't even know there was such a word.
Best wishes,Clive
The common meaning of 'dynamic' is energetic/active, although it does have other meanings related to physics.
My dictionary does include 'dynamical' - of or concerning dynamics.
However, I don't think I've ever heard or read 'dynamical'. I didn't even know there was such a word.
Best wishes,Clive
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Dynamical has a very specific meaning within engineering and mathematics and is a real word. Please see the http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dynamicalsystem_(definition).
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Dynamical is a common word in mathematics and physics - commonly used with "systems" as in "dynamical systems". Dynamical refers to specific systems that change over time or dimension.
Clives definition is correct however an expanded answer is posted at Answers.com.
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I've been hearing "dynamical" with increasing frequency as it seems to be slithering its' way into the "in" jargon for scientists and science jornalism of late. Of course it enjoys legitimate standing within specific scientific disciplines, as has already been provided in this thread, but it has picked up sufficient memetic steam to have infected seemingly every area of methodical enquiry; I even
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