The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition copyright ©2000 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Updated in 2009. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved. On, http://www.thefreedictionary.com/space therefore states:
space (sp
s)
s)n.
1.
a. Mathematics A set of elements or points satisfying specified geometric postulates: non-Euclidean space.
b. The infinite extension of the three-dimensional region in which all matter exists.
2.
a. The expanse in which the solar system, stars, and galaxies exist; the universe.
b. The region of this expanse beyond Earth's atmosphere.
3.
a. An extent or expanse of a surface or three-dimensional area: Water covered a large space at the end of the valley.
b. A blank or empty area: the spaces between words.
c. An area provided for a particular purpose: a parking space.
4. Reserved or available accommodation on a public transportation vehicle.
5.
a. A period or interval of time.
b. A little while: Let's rest for a space.
6. Sufficient freedom from external pressure to develop or explore one's needs, interests, and individuality: "The need for personal space inevitably asserts itself" (Maggie Scarf).
7. Music One of the intervals between the lines of a staff.
8. Printing One of the blank pieces of type or other means used for separating words or characters.
9. One of the intervals during the telegraphic transmission of a message when the key is open or not in contact.
10. Blank sections in printed material or broadcast time available for use by advertisers.
I particularly like 1 b: "The infinite extension of the three-dimensional region in which all matter exists". All matter...If it already exists and is by definition an "infinite extension" why is it then that the subjective quality of space changes when we are apart and when we are together? After all, our space should continue to be infinite, isn't it?
Well, Maybe the math definition (1 a) serves better: "A set of elements or points satisfying specified geometric postulates". Maybe we are geometric postulates and are satisfied or not with our set of elements and points....I've never seen myself as (part of) a geometric postulate but I guess I could consider it...
All I know is that space, not to mention the quality of space, is - as much as it is intriguing - quite the brainteaser...and somehow it has become one of the major issues in my life...
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Sometimes i'm prone to define my self as a set of independent points searching for something or someone who could link them, despite the deep abyss that exist between one and another point... But that's a kind of subective space only, nothing to do with this post. I just wanted to say... Well, maybe, it's a matter of time, too. So, you see, space and time, they're always runnin' together!
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