quantum-jump

quantum jump

noun
1.
Physics. an abrupt transition of a system described by quantum mechanics from one of its discrete states to another, as the fall of an electron in an atom to an orbit of lower energy.
2.
any sudden and significant change, advance, or increase.
Also called quantum leap.

Origin:
1925–30

Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2013.
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Collins
World English Dictionary
quantum leap or quantum jump
 
—n
a sudden highly significant advance; breakthrough
 
[C20: from its use in physics meaning the sudden jump of an electron, atom, etc from one energy level to another]
 
quantum jump or quantum jump
 
—n
 
[C20: from its use in physics meaning the sudden jump of an electron, atom, etc from one energy level to another]

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 10th Edition
2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
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00:10
Quantum-jump is always a great word to know.
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a fool or simpleton; ninny.
the offspring of a zebra and a donkey.
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American Heritage
Science Dictionary
quantum jump  
A change from one quantum state to another, as when an electron orbiting a nucleus moves from one shell to another with the loss or gain of a quantum of energy.
The American Heritage® Science Dictionary
Copyright © 2002. Published by Houghton Mifflin. All rights reserved.
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