English

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Adjective

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faster-than-light (comparative form only)

  1. (physics) Faster than the speed of light in a vacuum, the theoretical speed limit for travel within the universe.
    • 2008, BioWare, Mass Effect, Redwood City: Electronic Arts, →ISBN, →OCLC, PC, scene: FTL Drive Codex entry:
      Faster-than-light drives use element zero cores to reduce the mass of a ship, allowing higher rates of acceleration. This effectively raises the speed of light within the mass effect field, allowing high speed travel with negligible relativistic time dilation effects.

Usage notes

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  • This is the form used before a noun. After a noun, the form used is faster than light:
    The laws of physics forbid faster-than-light travel.
    Tachyons travel at speeds faster than light.

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