cardioid

[ kahr-dee-oid ]

noun

, Mathematics.

1. a somewhat heart-shaped curve, being the path of a point on a circle that rolls externally, without slipping, on another equal circle. Equation: r = a (1−cosA).

cardioid

/ ˈkɑːdɪˌɔɪd /

noun

1. a heart-shaped curve generated by a fixed point on a circle as it rolls around another fixed circle of equal radius, a. Equation: r = a (1 – cos φ), where r is the radius vector and φ is the polar angle

cardioid

/ kär′dē-oid′ /

1. A heart-shaped plane curve, the locus of a fixed point on a circle that rolls on the circumference of another circle with the same radius.

Word History and Origins

Origin of cardioid¹

First recorded in 1745–55, cardioid is from the Greek word kardioeidḗs heart-shaped. See cardi-, -oid

Example Sentences

The name cardioid stems from the heart-like shape you see in a diagram of its polar pattern.

From Popular-Science

Engineers often choose hypercardioid or supercardioid mics when even a cardioid mic is getting too much bleed from other sources.

From Popular-Science

Supercardioid mics are more focused on the front than cardioid mics but have a small lobe that picks up from the back but at a much lower level.

From Popular-Science

They often have a cardioid polar pattern that does an excellent job rejecting background noise, which is why they commonly turn up in the hands of stage performers and field reporters.

From Popular-Science

Undoubtedly the best studio microphone of our choices, it handles high volumes across a wide frequency range without distortion and its cardioid polar pattern keeps your voice front-and-center in the mix while rejecting surrounding chatter.

From Popular-Science