characteristic curve

noun

Definition of characteristic curve

: the graphic curve or the graph picturing it that shows the relation between two variables a characteristic curve plotting the variations of grid potential and plate current in the normal operation of a vacuum tube the patient's fever chart showed the characteristic curve for the disease :

a : the curve indicating the variation of density in a developed photographic image that results from the increase of exposure expressed logarithmically

— called also H and D curve, sensitometric curve

b : a curve showing the relationship between frequency and recording intensity or frequency and reproducing intensity in sound recording

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Dictionary Entries near characteristic curve

character-gradient

characterisation

characteristic curve

characteristic equation

characteristic function

characteristic impedance

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The first known use of characteristic curve was in 1881

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