limaçon

li·ma·çon

noun \ˌlē-mə-ˈsōⁿ\

Definition of LIMAÇON

: a plane curve whose equation in polar coordinates has one of the forms ρ = a cos θ ± b or ρ = a sin θ ± b and which reduces to a cardioid when a = b

Origin of LIMAÇON

French, literally, snail, from Old French, diminutive of limaz slug, snail, from Latin limax; akin to Russian slimak snail and probably to Old English līm birdlime — more at lime

First Known Use: 1873

Rhymes with LIMAÇON

Aubusson, feuilleton, Ganelon, gueridon, papillon, Simenon