curvature

American  

[kur-vuh-cher, -choor] / ˈkɜr və tʃər, -ˌtʃʊər /

noun

1. the act of curving or the state of being curved.

2. a curved condition, often abnormal.

   curvature of the spine.

3. the degree of curving of a line or surface.

4. Geometry.

   1. (at a point on a curve) the derivative of the inclination of the tangent with respect to arc length.

   2. the absolute value of this derivative.

5. something curved.

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curvature British  

/ ˈkɜːvətʃə /

noun

1. something curved or a curved part of a thing

2. any normal or abnormal curving of a bodily part

   curvature of the spine

3. geometry the change in inclination of a tangent to a curve over unit length of arc. For a circle or sphere it is the reciprocal of the radius See also radius of curvature centre of curvature

4. the act of curving or the state or degree of being curved or bent

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Etymology

Origin of curvature

1375–1425; late Middle English < Latin curvātūra, equivalent to curvāt ( us ) past participle of curvāre to bend, curve + -ūra -ure. See -ate ¹

Example Sentences

In the High North, satellites orbiting the equator can often be obscured by the curvature of the Earth, meaning fewer visible satellites than elsewhere on the planet.

From The Wall Street Journal

"We can change the biochemical composition, the thickness of the membrane, the tension and curvature, the size -- all kinds of parameters that we know have an influence on the embedded protein," Walz says.

From Science Daily

The researchers also connect geometric torsion to the curvature of spacetime on large scales.

From Science Daily

These lenses contained a fluid-filled membrane, which when compressed in response to dial adjustments would alter its curvature.

From BBC

Teesside Coroner's Court was told how in late 2016, Ms Whiting - who suffered from a curvature of the spine - missed a benefits assessment after being admitted to hospital with pneumonia.

From BBC