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{{Glossary}} | {{Glossary}} | ||
A '''wick''' is a stable or oscillating linearly repeating [[pattern]] that can be made to burn at one end. The essential characteristic distinguishing it from an [[agar]] is that it is one-dimensional. A [[fuse]] is quite similar, but is expected to actually burn and thereby decompose. | A '''wick''' is a stable or oscillating linearly repeating [[pattern]] that can be made to burn at one end. The essential characteristic distinguishing it from an [[agar]] is that it is one-dimensional. A [[fuse]] is quite similar, but is expected to actually burn and thereby decompose. | ||
Conversely, a '''wick stretcher''' is a moving entity, usually a [[Spaceship|space ship]], which lengthens the segment of wick to which it is conjoined. Various combinations are possible: two stretchers moving in opposite directions could prolong a finite wick; one end could possibly be freestanding, or even require stabilization, a service rendered by a '''fencepost'''. | |||
Finally, a wick could simply be infinite in extent, possibly quite convoluted in the style of a Hilbert curve. Or without any evident termination except for possibly closing into a loop. | |||
==See also== | ==See also== | ||
*[[Fuse]] | *[[Fuse]] | ||
*[[Wickstretcher]] | |||
*[[Random walk]] | |||
*[[:Category:Wicks|List of wicks]] | *[[:Category:Wicks|List of wicks]] | ||
*[[:Category:Fuses|List of fuses]] | |||
==External links== | ==External links== | ||
[http://www.argentum.freeserve.co.uk/lex_w.htm#wick Wick] at the Life Lexicon | [http://www.argentum.freeserve.co.uk/lex_w.htm#wick Wick] at the Life Lexicon | ||
Revision as of 06:20, 17 December 2009
A wick is a stable or oscillating linearly repeating pattern that can be made to burn at one end. The essential characteristic distinguishing it from an agar is that it is one-dimensional. A fuse is quite similar, but is expected to actually burn and thereby decompose.
Conversely, a wick stretcher is a moving entity, usually a space ship, which lengthens the segment of wick to which it is conjoined. Various combinations are possible: two stretchers moving in opposite directions could prolong a finite wick; one end could possibly be freestanding, or even require stabilization, a service rendered by a fencepost.
Finally, a wick could simply be infinite in extent, possibly quite convoluted in the style of a Hilbert curve. Or without any evident termination except for possibly closing into a loop.
See also
External links
Wick at the Life Lexicon