Free-fall
[free-fawl] /ˈfriˌfɔl/
verb (used without object), free-fell, free-fallen, free-falling.
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
2.
denoting or suggesting a free fall:
a free-fall recession.
noun
3.
(def 1, 2).
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.
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
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).
Note: During free fall, objects are said to be weightless.
noun phrase
An extremely rapid and unhindered descent •First used of a rocket returning to earth; then mainly of a parachutist who had not yet opened the parachute: the bank is trying to slow the free fall of the Mexican peso/ the Russian economy is in free fall (1919+)
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 ]
Read Also:
- Free-fire zone
[free-fahyuh r] /ˈfriˈfaɪər/ noun 1. an area in which military units have prior clearance to fire at will on any person or object encountered.
- Free flap
free flap n. An island flap in which the donor vessels are severed and the flap is moved to the recipient site where it is revascularized.
- Free-flight
noun 1. unassisted or unconstrained flight, as the flight of a rocket or missile without guidance or after fuel exhaustion or motor cutoff. noun 1. the flight of a rocket, missile, etc, when its engine has ceased to produce thrust
- Free-floating
[free-floh-ting] /ˈfriˈfloʊ tɪŋ/ adjective 1. (of an emotional state) lacking an apparent cause, focus, or object; generalized: free-floating hostility. 2. (of people) uncommitted, as to a doctrine, political party, etc.; independent: free-floating opportunists. 3. capable of relatively free movement. adjective 1. unattached or uncommitted, as to a cause, a party, etc
- Free-floating anxiety
noun 1. (psychiatry) chronic anxiety occurring for no identifiable cause