An Etymological Dictionary of Astronomy and Astrophysics

A physical quantity (denoted L), defined as the difference between the → kinetic energy (T) and the → potential energy (V) of a system: L = T - V. It is a function of → generalized coordinates, → generalized velocities, and time. Same as
→ Lagrangian, → kinetic potential.

See also: → Lagrangian; → function.