Warps

Warps is the plural of warp, a general term for a deformation, bend, or twist in a structure, substance, or concept. The word appears in several fields with specialized meanings.

In physics and spacetime: In the context of relativity, a warp describes curvature or distortion of spacetime. The term is often used in discussions of faster-than-light travel concepts, such as warp drives, in which space is contracted ahead and expanded behind, allowing effective transit without local faster-than-light movement. These ideas are speculative and framed within general relativity.

In astronomy: Warps commonly describe distortions in the disks of spiral galaxies; many galaxies exhibit warped stellar or gaseous disks. They are typically attributed to tidal interactions with companion galaxies, misaligned angular momentum, or external accretion.

In textiles: The warp consists of lengthwise yarns held under tension on a loom; the weft is interlaced across them. Warp threads determine the fabric's grain and strength and influence patterns when interlaced with the weft.

In science fiction and popular culture: The term warp appears to denote faster-than-light travel or space manipulation, often without consistent physical grounding. The concept varies across works but commonly involves bending or manipulating space-time to enable rapid travel.