newtonian

CIDE DICTIONARY

newtonian, a. 

 Of or pertaining to Sir Isaac Newton, or his discoveries.  [1913 Webster]

Newtonian philosophy, the philosophy of Sir Isaac Newton; -- applied to the doctrine of the universe as expounded in Newton's “Principia,” to the modern or experimental philosophy (as opposed to the theories of Descartes and others), and, most frequently, to the mathematical theory of universal gravitation. -- Newtonian telescope (Astron.), a reflecting telescope, in which rays from the large speculum are received by a plane mirror placed diagonally in the axis, and near the open end of the tube, and thrown at right angles toward one side of the tube, where the image is formed and viewed through the eyeplace. -- Newtonian theory of light. See Note under Light.

newtonian, n. 

 A follower of Newton.  [1913 Webster]

OXFORD DICTIONARY

newtonian, adj. of or devised by Isaac Newton (see NEWTON).

Idiom

Newtonian mechanics the system of mechanics which relies on Newton's laws of motion concerning the relations between forces acting and motions occurring. Newtonian telescope a reflecting telescope with a small secondary mirror at 45° to the main beam of light to reflect it into a magnifying eyepiece.

DEVIL DICTIONARY

newtonian

adj. Pertaining to a philosophy of the universe invented by Newton, who discovered that an apple will fall to the ground, but was unable to say why. His successors and disciples have advanced so far as to be able to say when.