FitzGerald contraction
/fɪtsˈdʒɛr(ə)ld
/(also FitzGerald–Lorentz contraction)
noun Physics
The shortening of a moving body in the direction of its motion, especially at speeds close to that of light.
Origin
Named after George. F. FitzGerald (1851–1901), Irish physicist, and H. A. Lorentz (see Lorentz, Hendrik Antoon), who independently postulated the theory in 1892.