curvature

cur·va·ture

noun
\ˈkər-və-ˌchu̇r, -chər, -ˌtyu̇r, -ˌtu̇r\

Definition of CURVATURE

1

: the act of curving : the state of being curved

2

: a measure or amount of curving; specifically : the rate of change of the angle through which the tangent to a curve turns in moving along the curve and which for a circle is equal to the reciprocal of the radius

3

a : an abnormal curving (as of the spine) b : a curved surface of an organ

Examples of CURVATURE

1. The lenses have different curvatures.
2. the curvature of the earth
3. The machine measures the eyeball's degree of curvature.
4. a disease that can cause curvature of the spine

First Known Use of CURVATURE

1603

Related to CURVATURE

Synonyms: angle, arc, arch, bow, crook, bend, curve, inflection, turn, wind

Related Words: kink, warp; circle, ring, ringlet, round; coil, curl, curlicue (also curlycue); buckle, convolution, flexure, fold, loop, spiral, swirl, twist, winding; incurvature, reflection; decline, inclination, incline, slope; corner, turnoff; dogleg, hairpin

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Rhymes with CURVATURE

accoucheur, amateur, balsam fir, cocklebur, colporteur, cri de coeur, cross-refer, de rigueur, disinter, force majeure, franc-tireur, Fraser fir, monseigneur, nonconcur, pasticheur, prosateur, raconteur, rapporteur, regisseur, saboteur, secateur, underfur, voyageur