butterfly effect

• مفهوم من نظرية الفوضى يصف كيف يمكن لتغيير صغير في الحالة الابتدائية لنظام حتمي غير خطي أن يؤدي إلى اختلافات كبيرة في الحالة اللاحقة، ويُستخدم مجازيًا للدلالة على أن الأفعال الصغيرة قد تكون لها عواقب بعيدة المدى.

A concept from chaos theory describing how a small change in one state of a deterministic nonlinear system can result in large differences in a later state, often used metaphorically to illustrate how minor actions can have far-reaching consequences.

1. Chaos theory conceptC1formal

   The phenomenon in chaos theory where a small change in one state of a deterministic nonlinear system can result in large differences in a later state.

   أثر الفراشة

   • The butterfly effect suggests that a butterfly flapping its wings in Brazil could cause a tornado in Texas.
   • In weather forecasting, the butterfly effect explains why long-term predictions are so difficult.
   • The concept of the butterfly effect was popularized by Edward Lorenz.

2. Figurative meaningB2informal

   Used to describe how small, seemingly insignificant actions can have large, unforeseen consequences.

   أثر الفراشة

   • His decision to take a different route to work was a butterfly effect that led to him meeting his future wife.
   • The butterfly effect of that one missed phone call changed the entire course of the project.
   • She believes that every small choice is a butterfly effect that shapes her future.