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

Keep scrolling for more

Learn More about characteristic curve

Dictionary Entries near characteristic curve

character-gradient

characterisation

characteristic curve

characteristic equation

characteristic function

characteristic impedance

Statistics for characteristic curve

Look-up Popularity

Time Traveler for characteristic curve

The first known use of characteristic curve was in 1881

See more words from the same year

Comments on characteristic curve

What made you want to look up characteristic curve? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

WORD OF THE DAY

fiduciary

involving a confidence or trust

Test Your Vocabulary

Word Puzzles

Which answer pairs best with each of the following words? living, estate, club, music, road, mile

Can you spell these 10 commonly misspelled words?

TAKE THE QUIZ

Test Your Knowledge - and learn some interesting things along the way.

TAKE THE QUIZ