trajectory

Meanings

1. The path an object takes as it moves.
2. The path of a body as it travels through space.
3. The ordered set of intermediate states assumed by a dynamical system as a result of time evolution.
4. A course of development, such as that of a war or career.

Etymology

From New Latin trāiectōria f (“trajectory”) (used by Newton), the feminine of trāiectōrius (“of or pertaining to throwing across”), from Latin trāiectus (“thrown over or across”), past participle of trāiciō, from trans- (“across, beyond”) (see trans-) + iaciō (“to throw”) (from Proto-Indo-European *(H)yeh₁- (“to throw, impel”)). Middle French and Middle English had trajectorie (“end of a funnel”), from Latin trāiectōrium.