Short Takes

The Dictionary Definition of Caltech

Caltech magazine uses Merriam-Webster as its go-to dictionary, its arbiter of spelling and usage. Recently, it became obvious that M-W returns at least some of that regard, given the number of times it uses Caltech references in its usage examples. Here are a few of those instances.

aero·dy·nam·i·cist noun

aero·dy·nam·i·cist

Definition: one who specializes in aerodynamics

Recent Examples on the Web:

The Rocket Boys’ audacity caught the attention of aerodynamicist Theodore von Kármán, who already worked with two of them at Caltech.

— Corey S. Powell, Discover magazine, “These New Technologies Could Make Interstellar Travel Real,” 13 March 2019

drawstring noun

draw·string

Definition: a string, cord, or tape inserted into hems or casings or laced through eyelets for use in closing a bag or controlling fullness in garments or curtains

Recent Examples on the Web:

In 2012, a Caltech paper detailed a procedure for harnessing an asteroid—proposing a plan for lassoing a valuable asteroid by catching it in a giant drawstring bag.

— Rachel Riederer, The New Yorker, “A New Space Race, for Lawyers,” 18 June 2019

minor planet noun

Definition: asteroid

Recent Examples on the Web:

Caltech’s Konstantin Batygin, for one, does not think the Kuiper Belt objects have enough mass to pull minor planets and asteroid out of their orbit.

— Jason Daley, Smithsonian, “Is the Mysterious Planet Nine Just a Swarm of Asteroids?” 6 June 2018

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