retrocausality means any of several hypothetical phenomena that reverse causality, allowing an effect to occur before its cause. It carries an Arena rating of 1381, earned across 3 head-to-head judged battles.
Among words judged in Lexicurio's Arena, retrocausality ranks #7,156 of 14,410 for Most Ponderous Words, #7,180 of 14,444 for Most Exacting Words, #11,019 of 14,297 for Best Fossil-Poetry Words, #11,040 of 14,361 for Most Ingenious Words.
Why “retrocausality” is a great word
Retrocausality is a hypothetical phenomenon in which an effect precedes its cause. From retro- (meaning "backward" or "behind") + causality (from Latin causalitas, from causa, meaning "cause"). Unlike "causality"—the forward march from spark to flame—or "predestination"—a fixed fate lacking mechanism—retrocausality posits a river flowing upstream. It is a signal received before it is sent, a healing scar before the blade falls, and the echo that shapes the shout. It is the unsettling proposition that the future is not just written, but that its ink bleeds through the page to stain the past.
Etymology
From retro- + causality.
noun
- Any of several hypothetical phenomena that reverse causality, allowing an effect to occur before its cause.
Words closest in meaning
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