binormal

[bahy-nawr-muhl, bahy-nawr-]

noun

Geometry.

1. the normal to a curve, lying perpendicular to the osculating plane at a given point on the curve.

Word History and Origins

Origin of binormal¹

First recorded in 1840–50; bi- ¹ + normal

Example Sentences

The normal perpendicular to the osculating plane is called the binormal.

Read more on Project Gutenberg

A tangent, principal normal, and binormal are a convenient set of rectangular axes to use as those of reference, when the nature of a curve near a point on it is to be discussed.

Read more on Project Gutenberg