eta conversion

noun

One of the three rewrite rules of lambda calculus, which expresses a sort of tautology about function application. The rule says that a lambda abstraction of the form (λx.(fx)) may be rewritten as simply f, provided that x does not occur freely in f (considered by itself).

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Meanings

nouneta conversion (countable and uncountable, plural eta conversions)

plural eta conversions

  1. countableuncountablecomputingOne of the three rewrite rules of lambda calculus, which expresses a sort of tautology about function application. The rule says that a lambda abstraction of the form (λx.(fx)) may be rewritten as simply f, provided that x does not occur freely in f (considered by itself).
Cite this entry
APA

eta conversion. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 3, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/eta%20conversion

MLA

“eta conversion.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/eta%20conversion. Accessed November 3, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “eta conversion,” accessed November 3, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/eta%20conversion.

Source: eta conversion on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.