brachistochrone

[ bruh-kis-tuh-krohn ]

nounMechanics.
  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.

Origin of brachistochrone

1
1765–75; <Greek bráchisto(s) shortest (superlative of brachýsbrachy-) + chrónos time

Other words from brachistochrone

  • bra·chis·to·chron·ic [bruh-kis-tuh-kron-ik], /brəˌkɪs təˈkrɒn ɪk/, bra·chis·toch·ro·nous [brey-kuh-stok-ruh-nuhs, brak-uh-], /ˌbreɪ kəˈstɒk rə nəs, ˌbræk ə-/, adjective

Words Nearby brachistochrone

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How to use brachistochrone in a sentence

  • A famous instance of this is found in what is known as the brachistochrone problem, which was solved by John Bernouilli.

    Great Astronomers | R. S. Ball

British Dictionary definitions for brachistochrone

brachistochrone

/ (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

Origin of brachistochrone

1
C18: from Greek brakhistos, superlative of brakhus short + chronos time

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