butterfly effect

noun

a cumulatively large effect that a very small natural force may produce over a period of time.

butterfly effect

noun

the idea, used in chaos theory, that a very small difference in the initial state of a physical system can make a significant difference to the state at some later time

butterfly effect

/ bŭt′ər-flī′ /

A phenomenon in which a small perturbation in the initial condition of a system results in large changes in later conditions. Such phenomena are common in complex dynamical systems and are studied in chaos theory.

Discover More

Word History and Origins

Origin of butterfly effect¹

First recorded in 1980–85; so called from the notion that the fluttering of a butterfly's wings may set off currents that will grow into a large storm

Discover More

Word History and Origins

Origin of butterfly effect¹

C20: from the theory that a butterfly flapping its wings in one part of the world might ultimately cause a hurricane in another part of the world

Browse