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conchoid

[kong-koid]
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noun Geometry.
  1. a plane curve such that if a straight line is drawn from a certain fixed point, called the pole of the curve, to the curve, the part of the line intersected between the curve and its asymptote is always equal to a fixed distance. Equation: r = b ± a sec(θ).
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Origin of conchoid

From the Greek word konchoeidḗs, dating back to 1790–1800. See conch, -oid
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Examples from the Web for conchoid

Historical Examples

  • Conchoid′al, pertaining to a conchoid: shell-like, applied to the fracture of a mineral; Concholog′ical, pertaining to conchology.

    Chambers's Twentieth Century Dictionary (part 1 of 4: A-D)

    Various

  • The conchoid has been employed by later mathematicians, notably Sir Isaac Newton, in the construction of various cubic curves.

British Dictionary definitions for conchoid

conchoid

noun
  1. geometry a plane curve consisting of two branches situated about a line to which they are asymptotic, so that a line from a fixed point (the pole) intersecting both branches is of constant length between asymptote and either branch. Equation: (x – a)²(x ² + y ²) = b ² x ² where a is the distance between the pole and a vertical asymptote and b is the length of the constant segment
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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