conic section

noun

1

: a plane curve, line, pair of intersecting lines, or point that is the intersection of or bounds the intersection of a plane and a cone with two nappes

2

: a curve generated by a point which always moves so that the ratio of its distance from a fixed point to its distance from a fixed line is constant

Illustration of conic section

• 1 straight lines
• 2 circle
• 3 ellipse
• 4 parabola
• 5 hyperbola

Example Sentences

Recent Examples on the Web

Given one rational point P on such a graph, there is an elegant way to find all the other rational points: Simply take each line that passes through P with a rational slope, and calculate the line’s second intersection point with the conic section. —Quanta Magazine, 9 July 2013

The graphs of such curves are the conic sections — circles, parabolas, ellipses and hyperbolas. —Quanta Magazine, 9 July 2013

Word History

First Known Use

1664, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

conic section

noun

: a curve formed by the intersection of a plane and a cone