curvature

[ kur-vuh-cher, -choor ]

/ ˈkɜr və tʃər, -ˌtʃʊər /

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See synonyms for curvature on Thesaurus.com

noun

the act of curving or the state of being curved.

a curved condition, often abnormal: curvature of the spine.

the degree of curving of a line or surface.

Geometry.

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

something curved.

QUIZ

ARE YOU A TRUE BLUE CHAMPION OF THESE "BLUE" SYNONYMS?

We could talk until we're blue in the face about this quiz on words for the color "blue," but we think you should take the quiz and find out if you're a whiz at these colorful terms.

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Which of the following words describes “sky blue”?

navy

beryl

azure

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Origin of curvature

1375–1425; late Middle English <Latin curvātūra, equivalent to curvāt(us) past participle of curvāre to bend, curve + -ūra-ure. See -ate¹

Words nearby curvature

curtly, curtsy, curule, curule chair, curvaceous, curvature, curvature aberration, curvature hyperopia, curvature myopia, curvature of field, curvature of space

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2021

How to use curvature in a sentence

Each finger is lightly articulated, with a curvature that resembles my fingers in their relaxed state.
The Best Ski Gloves Are the Simplest Ones|Joe Jackson|February 10, 2021|Outside Online
Objects warp the fabric of spacetime like a weight resting on a trampoline, and the fabric’s curvature guides their movements.
Einstein’s theory of general relativity unveiled a dynamic and bizarre cosmos|Elizabeth Quill|February 3, 2021|Science News
Some companies are offering a lens with an exaggerated curvature lens which distorts reality slightly in the favor of your wide view.
Best ski goggles: What to look for in a pair you’ll love|Eric Alt|January 20, 2021|Popular-Science
The smaller the screen, the less effective the curvature can be.
Best gaming monitor: Five things to consider|Carsen Joenk|November 26, 2020|Popular-Science

They’re great at that, especially if they account for the curvature of the Earth with a proper projection that doesn’t stretch out the northern states.
Election graphics can be deceiving. Here’s how to see through their tricks.|Sara Chodosh|September 22, 2020|Popular-Science
Even if you put it on a big building, the curvature of the earth prevents radar from going to the airplane.
Flight 370 And Our Unsolved Mystery Obsession|Emily Shire|March 13, 2014|DAILY BEAST
He was described by Shakespeare as having a hunchback and indeed the skeleton shows evidence of curvature of the spine.
CONFIRMED: Skeleton Found Under City Car Park IS That Of Villainous Richard III|Tom Sykes|February 4, 2013|DAILY BEAST
The place had a curvature like that of the seats in a theatre.
Ten Books on Architecture|Vitruvius
On the other hand, the curvature of the seas is a no less certain proof.
Astronomy for Amateurs|Camille Flammarion
This curvature, unlike the lateral curvature, is a sequela of an actual disease of the bones.
The Mother and Her Child|William S. Sadler
They are not perfectly flat; for besides the longitudinal curvature already mentioned, they are curved transversely.
The Book of Curiosities|I. Platts
Not only the curvature, but even the tapering by straight lines, would be somewhat difficult of execution in the pieced column.
The Stones of Venice, Volume I (of 3)|John Ruskin

British Dictionary definitions for curvature

curvature

/ (ˈkɜːvətʃə) /

noun

something curved or a curved part of a thing

any normal or abnormal curving of a bodily partcurvature of the spine

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 radiusSee also radius of curvature, centre of curvature

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

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

Medical definitions for curvature

curvature

[ kûr′və-chur′ ]

A curving or bending, especially an abnormal one.

curvature

Origin of curvature

Words nearby curvature

Words related to curvature

How to use curvature in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for curvature

Medical definitions for curvature