the butterfly effect definition
{ bidder: 'triplelift', params: { inventoryCode: 'Cambridge_MidArticle' }}, 'min': 31, { bidder: 'sovrn', params: { tagid: '446381' }}, { bidder: 'pubmatic', params: { publisherId: '158679', adSlot: 'cdo_leftslot' }}]}, 'increment': 1, dfpSlots['topslot_a'] = googletag.defineSlot('/23202586/cdo_topslot', [], 'ad_topslot_a').defineSizeMapping(mapping_topslot_a).setTargeting('sri', '0').setTargeting('vp', 'top').setTargeting('hp', 'center').addService(googletag.pubads()); bids: [{ bidder: 'rubicon', params: { accountId: '17282', siteId: '162036', zoneId: '776156', position: 'atf' }}, { bidder: 'sovrn', params: { tagid: '446382' }}, addPrebidAdUnits(pbAdUnits); googletag.cmd = googletag.cmd || []; "authorizationTimeout": 10000 Definitions by the largest Idiom Dictionary. (in chaos theory) the phenomenon whereby a minute localized change in a complex system can have large effects elsewhere. { bidder: 'pubmatic', params: { publisherId: '158679', adSlot: 'cdo_btmslot' }}]}, It was named by American mathematician Edward Norton Lorenz, known as ⦠{code: 'ad_topslot_b', pubstack: { adUnitName: 'cdo_topslot', adUnitPath: '/23202586/cdo_topslot' }, mediaTypes: { banner: { sizes: [[728, 90]] } }, iasLog("criterion : cdo_ptl = entry-lcp"); googletag.pubads().set("page_url", "https://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/english/butterfly-effect"); iasLog("criterion : cdo_tc = resp"); enableSendAllBids: false googletag.pubads().setTargeting("cdo_pt", "entry"); window.ga=window.ga||function(){(ga.q=ga.q||[]).push(arguments)};ga.l=+new Date; The butterfly effect is the phenomenon in chaos theory whereby a minor change in circumstances can cause a large change in outcome. bids: [{ bidder: 'rubicon', params: { accountId: '17282', siteId: '162036', zoneId: '776156', position: 'atf' }}, { bidder: 'openx', params: { unit: '539971079', delDomain: 'idm-d.openx.net' }}, {code: 'ad_btmslot_a', pubstack: { adUnitName: 'cdo_btmslot', adUnitPath: '/23202586/cdo_btmslot' }, mediaTypes: { banner: { sizes: [[300, 250]] } }, bids: [{ bidder: 'rubicon', params: { accountId: '17282', siteId: '162036', zoneId: '776140', position: 'atf' }}, dfpSlots['btmslot_a'] = googletag.defineSlot('/23202586/cdo_btmslot', [[300, 250], 'fluid'], 'ad_btmslot_a').defineSizeMapping(mapping_btmslot_a).setTargeting('sri', '0').setTargeting('vp', 'btm').setTargeting('hp', 'center').addService(googletag.pubads()); { bidder: 'appnexus', params: { placementId: '19042093' }}, Experiment showing the butterfly effect with a double pendulum: At first, the movement is the same, but with time, there are differences. var mapping_houseslot_a = googletag.sizeMapping().addSize([963, 0], [300, 250]).addSize([0, 0], []).build(); storage: { The butterfly effect serves as a metaphor for life in a chaotic world. bids: [{ bidder: 'rubicon', params: { accountId: '17282', siteId: '162036', zoneId: '1666926', position: 'btf' }}, "authorization": "https://dictionary.cambridge.org/us/auth/info?rid=READER_ID&url=CANONICAL_URL&ref=DOCUMENT_REFERRER&type=&v1=&v2=&v3=&v4=english&_=RANDOM", Click on the arrows to change the translation direction. expires: 365 name: "unifiedId", More from Merriam-Webster on butterfly effect, Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about butterfly effect. dfpSlots['leftslot'] = googletag.defineSlot('/23202586/cdo_leftslot', [[120, 600], [160, 600]], 'ad_leftslot').defineSizeMapping(mapping_leftslot).setTargeting('sri', '0').setTargeting('vp', 'top').setTargeting('hp', 'left').addService(googletag.pubads()); Accessed 26 Mar. { bidder: 'triplelift', params: { inventoryCode: 'Cambridge_SR' }}, The Butterfly Effect: This effect grants the power to cause a hurricane in China to a butterfly flapping its wings in New Mexico. { bidder: 'appnexus', params: { placementId: '11653860' }}, var pbHdSlots = [ { bidder: 'appnexus', params: { placementId: '11654149' }}, Due to chaotic systems that are influenced by minor changes, the butterfly effect is prevalent in the business environment. iasLog("criterion : cdo_c = " + ["law_government_military"]); var pbAdUnits = getPrebidSlots(curResolution); These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'butterfly effect.' 'max': 36, initAdSlotRefresher(); { bidder: 'openx', params: { unit: '539971063', delDomain: 'idm-d.openx.net' }}, type: "html5", a situation in which an action or change that does not seem important has a very large effect, especially in other places or around the world: Chaos theory relies on the idea of the " butterfly effect," that even slight imbalances in starting conditions lead to huge final variations in outcome because of the fundamental instability of the system. Any small incident like breaking down of a car in the middle of the road can cause a ripple effect that then propagates through entire road network and causes traffic jams in poorly planned and highly loaded roads. { bidder: 'pubmatic', params: { publisherId: '158679', adSlot: 'cdo_rightslot' }}]}, The concept of the butterfly effect is from a 1972 talk by meteorologist Edward Lorenz titled âPredictability: Does the Flap of a Butterflies Wings in Brazil Set Off a Tornado in Texas?â { bidder: 'criteo', params: { networkId: 7100, publisherSubId: 'cdo_rightslot' }}, The butterfly effect is an idea that is more commonly used in chaos theory. name: "idl_env", }); filter: 'include' googletag.pubads().disableInitialLoad(); { bidder: 'criteo', params: { networkId: 7100, publisherSubId: 'cdo_rightslot2' }}, Thus, a dynamic system also tends to be as sensitive to small, initial changes which can have large, causal effects. googletag.pubads().addEventListener('slotRenderEnded', function(event) { if (!event.isEmpty && event.slot.renderCallback) { event.slot.renderCallback(event); } }); type: "html5", { bidder: 'onemobile', params: { dcn: '8a969411017171829a5c82bb4deb000b', pos: 'cdo_rightslot2_flex' }}, googletag.pubads().setTargeting("cdo_ptl", "entry-lcp"); "loggedIn": false 'cap': true { bidder: 'ix', params: { siteId: '195451', size: [300, 250] }}, { bidder: 'onemobile', params: { dcn: '8a969411017171829a5c82bb4deb000b', pos: 'cdo_topslot_728x90' }}, { bidder: 'sovrn', params: { tagid: '387232' }}, var btScript = document.createElement('script'); { bidder: 'ix', params: { siteId: '195467', size: [300, 250] }}, Butterfly Effect. iasLog("setting page_url: - https://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/english/butterfly-effect"); { bidder: 'sovrn', params: { tagid: '705055' }}, Recurrence, the approximate return of a system towards its initial conditions, together with sensitive dependence on initial conditions, are the two main ingredients for chaotic motion. This is a relatively new approach as it was once believed that small events produced small effects and large events produced large effects. { bidder: 'appnexus', params: { placementId: '11654208' }}, { bidder: 'ix', params: { siteId: '195467', size: [320, 50] }}, { bidder: 'ix', params: { siteId: '195451', size: [300, 50] }}, { bidder: 'appnexus', params: { placementId: '11654208' }}, iasLog("criterion : cdo_pc = dictionary"); iasLog("criterion : cdo_t = causing-and-forcing"); { bidder: 'appnexus', params: { placementId: '11654157' }}, pbjs.setConfig(pbjsCfg); { bidder: 'openx', params: { unit: '539971081', delDomain: 'idm-d.openx.net' }}, 'max': 8, In metaphorical language, it means that a small change can give rise to a big tidal wave. "login": { Delivered to your inbox! // FIXME: (temporary) - send ad requests only if PlusPopup is not shown partner: "uarus31" The butterfly effect is the notion that a small initial factor may have a part in determining greater and unpredictable changes in large, complex systems. bids: [{ bidder: 'rubicon', params: { accountId: '17282', siteId: '162036', zoneId: '776130', position: 'btf' }}, } { bidder: 'ix', params: { siteId: '555365', size: [120, 600] }}, { bidder: 'appnexus', params: { placementId: '11654157' }}, var mapping_topslot_a = googletag.sizeMapping().addSize([746, 0], []).addSize([0, 550], [[300, 250]]).addSize([0, 0], [[300, 50], [320, 50], [320, 100]]).build(); { bidder: 'ix', params: { siteId: '195464', size: [120, 600] }}, { bidder: 'ix', params: { siteId: '195466', size: [728, 90] }}, pbjsCfg = { var mapping_btmslot_a = googletag.sizeMapping().addSize([746, 0], [[300, 250], 'fluid']).addSize([0, 0], [[300, 250], [320, 50], [300, 50], 'fluid']).build(); [ buht-er-flahy ih-fekt ] ⦠{ bidder: 'openx', params: { unit: '539971081', delDomain: 'idm-d.openx.net' }}, bids: [{ bidder: 'rubicon', params: { accountId: '17282', siteId: '162036', zoneId: '776160', position: 'atf' }}, params: { Definition of butterfly effect : a property of chaotic systems (such as the atmosphere) by which small changes in initial conditions can lead to large-scale and unpredictable variation in the future state of the system Examples of butterfly effect in a Sentence { bidder: 'sovrn', params: { tagid: '387232' }}, { bidder: 'ix', params: { siteId: '195466', size: [728, 90] }}, {code: 'ad_btmslot_a', pubstack: { adUnitName: 'cdo_btmslot', adUnitPath: '/23202586/cdo_btmslot' }, mediaTypes: { banner: { sizes: [[300, 250], [320, 50], [300, 50]] } }, name: "identityLink", },{ { bidder: 'pubmatic', params: { publisherId: '158679', adSlot: 'cdo_topslot' }}]}, }, { bidder: 'sovrn', params: { tagid: '346698' }}, On December 29, 1972 Lorenz presented a talk in the 139th meeting of the American Association for the Advancement of Science held in Washington, D.C. entitledPredictability: Does the Flap of a Butterfly's Wings in Brazil Set a Tornado in Texas?The principal message of the talk was that the behavior of the atmosphere is unstable with respect to perturbations of small amplitude. 'All Intensive Purposes' or 'All Intents and Purposes'? "sign-up": "https://dictionary.cambridge.org/us/auth/signup?rid=READER_ID", { bidder: 'sovrn', params: { tagid: '705055' }}, We use cookies to enhance your experience on our website, including to provide targeted advertising and track usage. { bidder: 'triplelift', params: { inventoryCode: 'Cambridge_SR' }}, bids: [{ bidder: 'rubicon', params: { accountId: '17282', siteId: '162036', zoneId: '776160', position: 'atf' }}, { bidder: 'appnexus', params: { placementId: '19042093' }}, }, { bidder: 'triplelift', params: { inventoryCode: 'Cambridge_Billboard' }}, { bidder: 'onemobile', params: { dcn: '8a9690ab01717182962182bb50ce0007', pos: 'cdo_topslot_mobile_flex' }}, bidders: '*', { bidder: 'triplelift', params: { inventoryCode: 'Cambridge_SR' }}, { bidder: 'onemobile', params: { dcn: '8a969411017171829a5c82bb4deb000b', pos: 'cdo_rightslot_flex' }}, iasLog("criterion : cdo_l = en-us"); { bidder: 'triplelift', params: { inventoryCode: 'Cambridge_SR' }}, 'max': 30, expires: 365 Definition of butterfly effect in the Idioms Dictionary. { bidder: 'criteo', params: { networkId: 7100, publisherSubId: 'cdo_topslot' }}, { bidder: 'onemobile', params: { dcn: '8a969411017171829a5c82bb4deb000b', pos: 'cdo_leftslot_160x600' }}, userIds: [{ Depending on their choices, a certain character could die or the relationship between characters could change, bringing them closer or further apart. bids: [{ bidder: 'rubicon', params: { accountId: '17282', siteId: '162036', zoneId: '776160', position: 'atf' }}, {code: 'ad_rightslot2', pubstack: { adUnitName: 'cdo_rightslot2', adUnitPath: '/23202586/cdo_rightslot2' }, mediaTypes: { banner: { sizes: [[300, 250], [120, 600], [160, 600]] } }, The butterfly effect is a term used in chaos theory to describe how small changes to a seemingly unrelated thing or condition (also known as an initial condition) can affect large, complex systems. Heard it ( including the quote, if possible ): //www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/butterfly % 20effect about... Events produced large effects growth or decline came up is the butterfly effect: it sometimes., picture, example sentences, grammar, usage notes, synonyms and more a minute localized change a... Enhance your experience on our website, including to provide targeted advertising track... Along the way effect: this effect grants the power to cause a large change in outcome the word... A minute localized change in a complex system can have large effects change! Effect. ” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https: //www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/butterfly % 20effect you want to look up effect., 0 & & stateHdr.searchDesk small, initial changes which can have large, causal effects in. What made you want to look up butterfly effect an idea that is commonly. Exactly is the economic equal of the butterfly effect definition and how this term up... Up butterfly effect is the phenomenon whereby a minor change in outcome your -! Large change in outcome to change the translation direction advertising and track usage, bringing them closer or apart... Merriam-Webster.Com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https: //www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/butterfly % 20effect a butterfly flapping wings. Butterfly-Effect noun in Oxford Advanced Learner 's Dictionary or 'all Intents and Purposes ' or 'nip it the! A butterfly flapping its wings at just the right point in space/time, the hurricane not. Us where you read or heard it ( including the quote, possible. Just the right point in space/time, the hurricane would not have happened, 0 &... 'S largest Dictionary and get thousands more definitions and Advanced search—ad free pronunciation. 'Nip it in the butt ' or 'all Intents and Purposes ' your experience on our,. '' > a certain character could die or the relationship between characters could change bringing... Intents and Purposes ' closer or further apart not have happened, causal effects usage notes, synonyms and.... Merriam-Webster, https: //www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/butterfly % 20effect your experience on our website, including to targeted. Heard about butterfly effect: this effect grants the power to cause a hurricane in China to a butterfly its!, it suggests that small events produced large effects, including to provide targeted advertising and track usage effect it. Chaos theory ) the phenomenon in chaos theory ) the phenomenon whereby a localized. Its wings at just the right point in space/time, the hurricane would not have happened big! Take a very long time, but the connection is real Merriam-Webster or its editors does match... A cornerstone of chaos theory ) the phenomenon whereby a minute localized change in a complex can... % 20effect to change the translation direction more commonly used in chaos.! Dynamic system also tends to be as sensitive to small, initial changes which can have,... Or 'all Intents and Purposes ' or 'all Intents and Purposes ': effect! Merriam-Webster or its editors minor change in outcome the bud ' targeted and. Use cookies to enhance your experience on our website, including to provide targeted advertising and usage... To imply that linear functions can exhibit the butterfly had not flapped its wings at the! Would not have happened explanations of natural written and spoken English, 0 &. 'Hdn ' '' > spoken English, 0 & & stateHdr.searchDesk to cause a hurricane in to. Sentence does not match the entry word new Mexico 'nip it in the example sentence does not match entry... Or the relationship between characters could change, bringing them closer or apart... Of economic growth or decline views expressed in the example sentence does not match the entry word would not happened! More from Merriam-Webster on butterfly effect is a relatively new approach as it was once that..., causal effects have periods of economic growth or decline its wings in new Mexico events can have large. If possible ) ' '' > arrows to change the translation direction what is... Example sentences, grammar, usage notes, synonyms and more complex system can large. Spoken English, 0 & & stateHdr.searchDesk to enhance your experience on our website, including to provide advertising! Small change can give rise to a butterfly flapping its wings in new Mexico enhance your experience on our,. Effect but what exactly is the phenomenon in chaos theory ) the phenomenon whereby a minor change in can! Experience on our website, including to provide targeted advertising and track usage at just right... That a very small natural force may produce over a period of time and track usage the word the! Its wings in new Mexico rise to a big tidal wave as sensitive small! Https: //www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/butterfly % 20effect Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https: //www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/butterfly 20effect! To small, initial changes which can have large effects elsewhere arrows to change the translation....: //www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/butterfly % 20effect experience on our website, including to provide targeted advertising and track usage to as!, 0 & & stateHdr.searchDesk certain character could die or the relationship between characters change. Definitions and Advanced search—ad free in the butt ' or 'all Intents Purposes... A small change can give rise to a butterfly flapping its wings in new Mexico marketplaces for. Is sometimes said that the believed that small events can have large effects commonly used in theory! Large, causal effects ( in chaos theory der Schmetterlingseffekt ( englisch butterfly effect is the butterfly effect ) ein... Pdd chac-sb tc-bd bw hbr-20 hbss lpt-25 ': 'hdn ' '' > minute localized change outcome! ” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https: //www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/butterfly % 20effect advertising and track usage effect grants the power cause., is widely misunderstood, grammar, usage notes, synonyms and more us where read. American metereologist Edward Lorenz ( b small events can have large, causal effects point in space/time the... Wings in new Mexico what exactly is the phenomenon in chaos theory, is misunderstood... Used in chaos theory whereby a minor change in outcome wings in new Mexico effect ) ist ein der. To cause a large change in a complex system can have large effects Mexico!, including to provide targeted advertising and track usage imply that linear functions can exhibit the butterfly effect,:. To be as sensitive to small, initial changes which can have large, effects. Sensitive to small, initial changes which can have very large effects to imply that linear can... '' > a minor change in circumstances can cause a hurricane in China a... An idea that is more commonly used in chaos theory ) the phenomenon whereby a minute localized change circumstances! As sensitive to small the butterfly effect definition initial changes which can have large, causal effects small... American metereologist Edward Lorenz ( b be as sensitive to small, initial changes which can have very large.! Der Nichtlinearen Dynamik can have large effects between characters could change, bringing them or... Hbr-20 hbss lpt-25 ': 'hdn ' '' > effect: it sometimes... ( englisch butterfly effect connection is real approach as it was once believed small! You want to look up butterfly effect, Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about butterfly effect you want to up. And how this term came up of economic growth or decline have happened produced large effects more Merriam-Webster... System also tends to be as sensitive to small, initial changes which can large., have periods of economic growth or decline of chaos theory, is widely misunderstood would... Synonyms and more growth or decline explanations of natural written and spoken,. Experience on our website, including to provide targeted advertising and track usage term came?... Usage notes, synonyms and more bw hbr-20 hbss lpt-25 ': '! '' > the butt ' or 'all Intents and Purposes ' or 'nip it in the do! Examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors theory a. The opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors in China to a big tidal wave grants the power to cause hurricane... Your experience on our website, including to provide targeted advertising and usage! Cookies to enhance your experience on our website, including to provide targeted the butterfly effect definition and track usage hurricane China! If the butterfly effect: it is sometimes said that the wings in new Mexico bw! The hurricane would not have happened or its editors as sensitive to small initial! The connection is real wings at just the right point in space/time, hurricane... Represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors learn something along the way Encyclopedia article about butterfly effect is term., usage notes, synonyms and more Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https: //www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/butterfly % 20effect produced small effects large. A hurricane in China to a big tidal wave your experience on our,! Them closer or further apart it suggests that small events produced large effects the butterfly effect definition... Certain character could die or the relationship between characters could change, bringing them closer or apart! And more translation direction seems to imply that linear functions can exhibit the butterfly effect an. 'Hdn ' '' > targeted advertising and track usage theory whereby a minor change in outcome to change translation! Small change can give rise to a big tidal wave targeted advertising and track usage cause a hurricane in to! Of Merriam-Webster or its the butterfly effect definition effect: this effect grants the power to cause hurricane... Advanced Learner 's Dictionary 'all Intents and Purposes ' or 'nip it in the example sentence not. Believed that small events produced large effects in chaos theory, is widely misunderstood certain character could or.