brachistochrone

American

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

noun

Mechanics.

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

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

Etymology

Origin of brachistochrone

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

Example Sentences

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See Examples For:

brachistochrone

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

From New York Times ● Oct. 31, 2018

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