How Do You Spell ARROW OF TIME?

Pronunciation: [ˈaɹə͡ʊ ɒv tˈa͡ɪm] (IPA)

The term "arrow of time" is typically spelled using the English alphabet as "a-r-r-o-w o-f t-i-m-e." In phonetic transcription, this may be written as /ˈæroʊ əv taɪm/. The initial "a" sound is pronounced "æ", like the word "cat", and the final "e" in "time" is silent. The stress falls on the first syllable, with a long "o" sound in "arrow". The "f" in "of" is pronounced as a voiced "v" sound. The term refers to the one-way progression of time, from the past to the future.

Meaning and Definition
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ARROW OF TIME Meaning and Definition

  1. The arrow of time refers to the unidirectional flow of time, depicting the asymmetry between the past and the future. It is a concept rooted in physics and philosophy. This term is often used to describe the perception that time has a preferred direction, where events move from the past to the future, and not vice versa.

    In physics, the arrow of time is connected to the second law of thermodynamics, which states that the entropy (a measure of disorder) of an isolated system tends to increase over time. This increase in entropy is what gives rise to the arrow of time, as it distinguishes between the irreversible nature of processes and the lack of reversibility.

    The arrow of time also encompasses our subjective experience of time. We perceive the past as something that has already occurred, while the future represents the unknown and the yet-to-happen. This subjective arrow of time is intimately linked to our cognitive processes and memory.

    Furthermore, the arrow of time is intertwined with the concept of causality. Past events influence future events, creating a chain of cause and effect that aligns with the arrow of time.

    While the arrow of time is widely accepted, it remains a topic of ongoing scientific and philosophical discussions. Researchers continue to explore whether time could be reversible at fundamental levels or if the arrow of time is an inherent property of the universe.

Idioms with the word ARROW OF TIME

  • arrow of time (or time's arrow) The idiom "arrow of time (or time's arrow)" refers to the concept in physics and philosophy that time only moves in one direction, from the past to the present to the future. It emphasizes the irreversible nature of time, suggesting that events proceed in a linear sequence that cannot be undone or changed.