high-redshift
UK[ˌhaɪ ˈredʃɪft]US[ˌhaɪ ˈredʃɪft]
n
A large displacement of the spectral lines of an astronomical object towards longer (redder) wavelengths, indicating that the object is moving away from the observer at a high velocity, typically due to the expansion of the universe and implying a great cosmological distance.
Morpheme Breakdown
high
red
shift
high
adjective
red
adjective
shift
noun
Etymology
The term is a modern compound from astrophysics, combining common English words to describe a specific physical phenomenon. 'Redshift' itself was coined in the early 20th century, drawing on the literal observation that light from receding galaxies is shifted towards the red end of the visible spectrum. The adjective 'high' is prefixed to indicate an extreme degree of this shift, which correlates directly with greater velocity and distance according to Hubble's law. Thus, the word's logic is transparently literal: it denotes a large ('high') spectral displacement towards the 'red' end of the spectrum.
Analysis
Structure: high (adjective) + red (adjective) + shift (noun)
high: From Old English hēah, meaning "of great vertical extent." Functions as an adjective modifying the compound noun.
red: From Old English rēad, meaning "of the color red." Functions as an adjective describing the type of shift.
shift: From Old English sciftan, meaning "to arrange, divide, change." Functions as the core noun denoting a change or displacement.
Examples
Galaxies with a high-redshift are among the most distant objects observable in the universe.
Studying high-redshift quasars helps astronomers understand the early stages of cosmic evolution.
The detection of this high-redshift galaxy pushes the boundaries of what our current telescopes can see.