strangeness

[ streynj-nis ]

noun

1. the quality or condition of being strange.
2. Physics. a quantum number assigned the value −1 for one kind of quark, +1 for its antiquark, and 0 for all other quarks; the strangeness of a hadron is the sum of the values for the strangeness of its constituent quarks and antiquarks. : S

strangeness

/ ˈstreɪndʒnɪs /

noun

1. the state or quality of being strange
2. physics a property of certain elementary particles, characterized by a quantum number ( strangeness number ) conserved in strong and electromagnetic but not in weak interactions. It is associated with the presence of strange quarks

strangeness

/ strānj′nĭs /

1. The property of containing a strange quark or antiquark. Strangeness is expressed in terms of an integer quantum number, −1 for each strange quark and +1 for each strange antiquark. Hadrons that possess strangeness are called strange . The total strangeness of a quantum system is unchanged by decay processes involving the strong or electromagnetic forces; however, decay through the weak force can change the total strangeness of the system.
2. See also baryon number

Word History and Origins

Origin of strangeness¹

Middle English word dating back to 1350–1400; strange, -ness

Example Sentences

The strangeness of this NFL season reached new heights in Week 7.

From Washington Post

There’s grief, identity, family, the strangeness of diasporas and an unflinching vocabulary of desire.

From Ozy

He is acutely aware of his own strangeness and his own inability to fit in with his peers at school.

From Time

There is a quantum strangeness to time so the interval between two events can mean a quantum superposition of two times taking place at once.

From Time

I did really feel the panic and strangeness of what happened and the frustration of the weird band of defendants who are kind of all on the same side, and kind of not.

From Vox

Part of that strangeness is the feeling veterans sometimes have that their lives will never be as important as they were overseas.

From The Daily Beast

We feel their strangeness when we read their words—they lived on a plane where few dare to tread.

From The Daily Beast

He walked for several blocks in the weak light, confused at the strangeness—tense and somewhat frightened.

From The Daily Beast

The rock paintings, because they are so much harder to read, seem more profound in their strangeness.

From The Daily Beast

Waiting for a taxi, he breathed in the spicy, flaccid atmosphere of the city and felt the strangeness of things around him.

From The Daily Beast

Here was the strangeness of it: that he did not distrust Lettice, nor felt resentment against Tony.

From Project Gutenberg

Also, that the quality that had impressed me first as being malefic was really only its singular and original strangeness.

From Project Gutenberg

He said nothing, and his absolute silence following upon his violent singing strengthened the grip of his strangeness upon her.

From Project Gutenberg

Following a brief interval, during which even Mollie Gretna was held silent by the strangeness of the proceedings.

From Project Gutenberg

She did not know the room to which this window belonged, and she paused under the trees, checked by a sense of strangeness.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• newness
• weirdness