redshift

red·shift

noun \ˈred-ˈshift\

Definition of REDSHIFT

: a displacement of the spectrum of a celestial body toward longer wavelengths that is a consequence of the Doppler effect or the gravitational field of the source; also : a measurement of a celestial body's redshift equal to the ratio of the displacement of a spectral line to its known unshifted wavelength and used especially to calculate the body's distance from earth

— red·shift·ed adjective

First Known Use of REDSHIFT

1923

Rhymes with REDSHIFT

adrift, airlift, blueshift, chairlift, dead lift, downshift, face-lift, forklift, frameshift, gearshift, makeshift, sealift, shape-shift, shoplift, short shrift, ski lift, snowdrift, spendthrift, spindrift, split shift, stick shift, swing shift, uplift, upshift

redshift

noun    (Concise Encyclopedia)

Displacement of the spectrum of an astronomical object toward longer wavelengths (visible light shifts toward the red end of the spectrum). In 1929 Edwin Hubble reported that distant galaxies had redshifts proportionate to their distances (see Hubble's constant). Since redshifts can be caused by motion of an object away from the observer (the Doppler effect), Hubble concluded that all galaxies are receding from each other. This became the cornerstone of theories of an expanding universe.