free fall

¹

noun

1. the hypothetical fall of a body such that the only force acting upon it is that of gravity.
2. the part of a parachute jump that precedes the opening of the parachute.
3. a decline, especially a sudden or rapid decline, as in value or prestige, that appears to be endless or bottomless:

   The economy was in a free fall all winter.

free-fall

²

[ free-fawl ]

verb (used without object)

, free-fell, free-fall·en, free-fall·ing.

1. (of parachutists) to descend initially, as for a designated interval, in a free fall:

   The jumpers were required to free-fall for eight seconds.

adjective

1. denoting or suggesting a free fall:

   a free-fall recession.

noun

1. free fall ( def 1, 2 ).

free fall

noun

1. free descent of a body in which the gravitational force is the only force acting on it
2. the part of a parachute descent before the parachute opens

free fall

1. In physics , the motion of a body being acted upon only by gravity . A satellite in orbit is in free fall, as is a skydiver (if we neglect the effects of air resistance).

Notes

During free fall, objects are said to be weightless.

Word History and Origins

Origin of free fall¹

First recorded in 1915–20

Origin of free fall²

First recorded in 1830–40

Idioms and Phrases

A rapid, uncontrolled decline, as in The markets threatened to go into free fall and we came close to outright panic. This term transfers the aeronautical meaning of a free fall, that is, “a fall through the air without any impedance, such as a parachute,” to other kinds of precipitous drop. [Second half of 1900s]

Example Sentences

When news a rare American songbird had been spotted in a sleepy West Yorkshire cul-de-sac eager ornithologists converged on the quiet street faster than a falcon in free fall.

From BBC

Many in eastern Kentucky are living in economic free fall.

From Salon

But anyone who thinks a honeymoon is inevitably followed by a free fall of excited commitment must have a very dim view of marriage.

From Los Angeles Times

"The impact of hitting the water after up to 27m of free fall is nine times harder than jumping from a 10 m tower," they said.

From BBC

A portrait of a mind in free fall, red-pilled before we were talking about red-pilling, it is essential viewing for those interested in the possibilities of opera.

From New York Times