quantum leap

== English == === Etymology === Possibly calque of Danish kvantespring. === Pronunciation === IPA(key): /ˈkwɒntəm liːp/ === Noun === quantum leap (plural quantum leaps) (quantum mechanics) The discontinuous change of the state of an electron in an atom or molecule from one energy level to another. (figurative) An abrupt, extreme change. (figurative, informal, nonstandard) A large, massive, significant change. 1993, Mr Burton, before the United States House Committee on Foreign Affairs, Subcommittee on Africa, Looking Back and Reaching Forward: Prospects for Democracy in Ethiopia : Hearing Before the Subcommittee on Africa of the Committee on Foreign Affairs, House of Representatives, One Hundred Second Congress, Second Session, September 17, 1992, page 56: I was at the elections in Namibia. We had problems there, [...] But I would say that this is a quantum leap forward when you think of the Mengistu government and the horrible repression, the famine, the tyranny that existed under him, and you see this movement toward freedom and democracy over there. Although there, admittedly, have been problems, this is a giant step in the right direction. ==== Synonyms ==== quantum jump ==== Coordinate terms ==== step change paradigm shift ==== Related terms ==== ==== Translations ==== === Verb === quantum leap (third-person singular simple present quantum leaps, present participle quantum leaping, simple past and past participle quantum leaped or quantum leapt) (slang, esoteric attraction theory) To manifest, to forward the reality of. === Further reading === atomic electron transition on Wikipedia.Wikipedia