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brachistochrone

American  
[bruh-kis-tuh-krohn] / brəˈkɪs təˌkroʊn /

noun

Mechanics.

  1. the curve between two points that in the shortest time by a body moving under an external force without friction; the curve of quickest descent.

brachistochrone British  
/ brəˈkɪstəˌkrəʊn /

noun

  1. maths the curve between two points through which a body moves under the force of gravity in a shorter time than for any other curve; the path of quickest descent

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Word Forms

  • brachistochronic adjective
  • brachistochronous adjective

Etymology

Origin of brachistochrone

1765–75; < Greek bráchisto ( s ) shortest (superlative of brachýs brachy- ) + chrónos time

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Galileo discovered it was the brachistochrone curve, which, despite being longer, delivers the ball first.

From New York Times • Oct. 31, 2018

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.