SINCE 1828
dictionary
thesaurus

evolute

noun
Save Word
evo·​lute | \ ˈe-və-ˌlüt How to pronounce evolute (audio) also ˈē-və- \

Definition of evolute

: the locus of the center of curvature or the envelope of the normals of a curve

First Known Use of evolute

1704, in the meaning defined above

History and Etymology for evolute

borrowed from New Latin ēvolūta (short for līnea ēvolūta, literally, "unrolled line"), noun derivative from feminine of Latin ēvolūtus, past participle of ēvolvere "to roll out or away, unwind, unroll" — more at evolve

Note: The New Latin term was introduced by Christian huygens in Horologium oscillatorium (Paris, 1673), p. 60.

Learn More About evolute

Time Traveler for evolute

Time Traveler

The first known use of evolute was in 1704

See more words from the same year

Statistics for evolute

Cite this Entry

“Evolute.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/evolute. Accessed 18 Aug. 2022.

Style: MLA
MLACheck Mark Icon ChicagoCheck Mark Icon APACheck Mark Icon Merriam-WebsterCheck Mark Icon

WORD OF THE DAY

immutable

Listen to the pronunciation of immutable

See Definitions and Examples »

Test Your Vocabulary

The Great British Vocabulary Quiz

  • union jack speech bubble
  • Named after Sir Robert Peel, what are British police called?
How Strong Is Your Vocabulary?

Test your vocabulary with our 10-question quiz!

TAKE THE QUIZ
Universal Daily Crossword

A daily challenge for crossword fanatics.

TAKE THE QUIZ
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Words at Play
Ask the Editors
Word Games