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brachistochrone

[bruh-kis-tuh-krohn]
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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.
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Origin of brachistochrone

1765–75; < Greek bráchisto(s) shortest (superlative of brachýs brachy-) + chrónos time
Related formsbra·chis·to·chron·ic [bruh-kis-tuh-kron-ik] /brəˌkɪs təˈkrɒn ɪk/, bra·chis·toch·ro·nous [brey-kuh-stok-ruh-nuh s, brak-uh-] /ˌbreɪ kəˈstɒk rə nəs, ˌbræk ə-/, adjective
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Examples from the Web for brachistochrone

Historical Examples

  • 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

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
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Word Origin

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