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catenary

noun cat·e·nary \ ˈka-tə-ˌner-ē , -ˌne-rē , especially British kə-ˈtē-nə-rē \

Definition of catenary

plural catenaries

1 : the curve assumed by a cord of uniform density and cross section that is perfectly flexible but not capable of being stretched and that hangs freely from two fixed points

2 : something in the form of a catenary

—

catenary

adjective

Recent Examples of catenary from the Web

Click on a title like catenary-on-azure, and you’ll be directed to a webpage where a single catenary chain multiplies into dozens and then hundreds, forming a beating circular GIF made from hundreds of individual GIFs.

— liz stinson, WIRED, "Watch: Evan Roth Hacks Wikipedia GIFs, Turning Webpages Into Art Shows," 8 Oct. 2014

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'catenary.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of catenary

New Latin catenaria, from Latin, feminine of catenarius of a chain, from catena

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1788

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year

Learn More about catenary

See words that rhyme with catenary Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about catenary

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BROWSE DICTIONARY

catena

catenarin

catenary

catenate

catenative

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