An Etymological Dictionary of Astronomy and Astrophysics
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The phenomenon wherein the → quarks within a → hadron get closer together, the force of containment gets weaker so that it asymptotically approaches zero for close confinement. According to → quantum chromodynamics, the quarks in close confinement are completely free to move about. On the contrary, the further we try to force the quarks apart, the greater the force of containment. The 2004 Nobel Prize in Physics was awarded to David Gross, Frank Wilczek, and David Politzer for their discovery of asymptotic freedom. This discovery established quantum chromodynamics as the correct theory of the → strong interaction.

→ asymptotic; → freedom.

Of a → mechanical system, the number of → independent variables needed to describe its configuration.

→ degree; → freedom.

The state of being free or at liberty.

From M.E. fredom, from O.E. freodom, from freo "free; noble, joyful," → free.

Âzâdi "freedom," noun from âzâd, → free.