Meanings
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1
adj
relating to Isaac Newton, his scientific work, or the laws and methods derived from it
Newtonian gravitation treats the attraction between two masses as a force acting at a distance.
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2
adj
belonging to classical mechanics, especially as distinct from relativistic or quantum physics
The calculation uses a Newtonian model because the object's speed is far below the speed of light.
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3
adj
describing a fluid whose viscosity remains constant at a given temperature and pressure
Water behaves approximately as a Newtonian fluid under ordinary conditions.
Thesaurus
Etymology
From Newton, the surname of English mathematician and physicist Isaac Newton, + -ian ("relating to or following"). The term came to describe both Newton's own theories and later systems based on his laws of motion and gravitation.