parallax

noun
par·​al·​lax | \ ˈper-ə-ˌlaks How to pronounce parallax (audio) , ˈpa-rə-\

Definition of parallax

: the apparent displacement or the difference in apparent direction of an object as seen from two different points not on a straight line with the object especially : the angular difference in direction of a celestial body as measured from two points on the earth's orbit

Examples of parallax in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Sure enough, the new WWE Network includes parallax effects and more visual flair throughout the experience. Chris Welch, The Verge, "WWE pulls a heel turn on Disney’s streaming tech," 30 July 2019 The Cintiq Pro line offers some higher-end features that the regular Cintiq line doesn’t have, like 4K resolution, more accurate colors, and better optical bonding, which reduces parallax, or the distance between the pen and the screen. Dami Lee, The Verge, "Wacom’s new Cintiq 22 is a bigger addition to its entry-level pen display line," 18 July 2019 The technology to create the giant aquarium includes enormous high-definition screens that use motion parallax, a technique that shifts the parkgoer's perspective of the dinosaur as the creature moves through the tank. Hugo Martin, latimes.com, "Universal Studios launches surprise opening of Jurassic World ride," 12 July 2019 The researchers used an old method called trigonometric parallax, which calculates distance by tracking a single celestial object's apparent shift in position as seen from Earth's orbit in two separate places, months apart. Marissa Fessenden, Smithsonian, "Scientists Peek Across the Galaxy to the “Dark Side” of the Milky Way," 14 Oct. 2017 The team also has made record breaking measurements of parallax, a term that, boiled down, means a measurement of distance between objects in relation to each other. John Wenz, Popular Mechanics, "A Never-Before-Seen Region of Our Galaxy, Revealed," 12 Oct. 2017 The phenomena, also known as parallax, allowed scientists to determine how elevated or sunken the features imaged by their Long-Range Reconnaissance Imager (LORRI) on New Horizons were. Doris Elin Salazar Space.com Staff Writer, Fox News, "NASA unveils new maps of Pluto, Moon Charon for flyby anniversary," 17 July 2017 Measuring these shifts, or parallaxes, lets astronomers calculate the stars’ actual positions and movements through the galaxy with great precision, a field of study called astrometry that Gaia and its predecessor Hipparcos have revitalized. Michael Greshko, National Geographic, "New Milky Way Map Is a Spectacular Billion-Star Atlas," 14 Sep. 2016 By carefully directing light, Sharp's display uses a filter called a parallax barrier to transform that blur into 3-D magic – no lame eyewear required. Wired Staff, WIRED, "WIRED TOOLS 2K3," 1 Dec. 2003

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'parallax.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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First Known Use of parallax

1580, in the meaning defined above

History and Etymology for parallax

Middle French parallaxe, from Greek parallaxis, from parallassein to change, from para- + allassein to change, from allos other

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More Definitions for parallax

parallax

noun
par·​al·​lax | \ ˈpar-ə-ˌlaks How to pronounce parallax (audio) \

Medical Definition of parallax

: the apparent displacement or the difference in apparent direction of an object as seen from two different points not on a straight line with the object motion parallax governs the way objects appear to move when the eyes or head are shifted— Edmund Andrews