Kinematics
/ˌkɪn.əˈmæt.ɪks/noun
The branch of mechanics that describes motion without considering the forces that cause it.
Did you know?Kinematics comes from Greek kīnēma, “movement,” from the same root that gave us words tied to motion and life in action, which is why the term feels almost like a spell for describing reality in motion.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*k̑ey-
“to lie down; to set in motion, to move”
Ancient Greek
grc
κίνημα (kīnēma)
“a movement; a motion”
Late Ancient Greek
grc
κινηματικός (kīnēmatikós)
“pertaining to motion”
19th Century
English
kinematics
“the study of motion, especially in mechanics”
Modern English
English
kinematics
“the branch of mechanics dealing with motion without reference to force”
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