curvature

[ kur-vuh-cher, -choor ]

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.

curvature

/ 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. See centre of curvature, radius of curvature
   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

Word History and Origins

Origin of curvature¹

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

Each finger is lightly articulated, with a curvature that resembles my fingers in their relaxed state.

From Outside Online

Objects warp the fabric of spacetime like a weight resting on a trampoline, and the fabric’s curvature guides their movements.

From Science News

Some companies are offering a lens with an exaggerated curvature lens which distorts reality slightly in the favor of your wide view.

From Popular-Science

The smaller the screen, the less effective the curvature can be.

From 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.

From Popular-Science

Even if you put it on a big building, the curvature of the earth prevents radar from going to the airplane.

From The Daily Beast

He was described by Shakespeare as having a hunchback and indeed the skeleton shows evidence of curvature of the spine.

From The Daily Beast

The place had a curvature like that of the seats in a theatre.

From Project Gutenberg

On the other hand, the curvature of the seas is a no less certain proof.

From Project Gutenberg

This curvature, unlike the lateral curvature, is a sequela of an actual disease of the bones.

From Project Gutenberg

They are not perfectly flat; for besides the longitudinal curvature already mentioned, they are curved transversely.

From Project Gutenberg

Not only the curvature, but even the tapering by straight lines, would be somewhat difficult of execution in the pieced column.

From Project Gutenberg