cycloid

American  

[sahy-kloid] / ˈsaɪ klɔɪd /

adjective

1. resembling a circle; circular.

2. (of the scale of a fish) smooth-edged, more or less circular in form, and having concentric striations.

3. (of a fish) having such scales.

4. Psychiatry. of or noting a personality type characterized by wide fluctuation in mood within the normal range.

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noun

1. a cycloid fish.

2. Geometry. a curve generated by a point on the circumference of a circle that rolls, without slipping, on a straight line.

cycloid British  

/ ˈsaɪklɔɪd /

adjective

1. resembling a circle

2. (of fish scales) rounded, thin, and smooth-edged, as those of the salmon

3. psychiatry (of a type of personality) characterized by exaggerated swings of mood between elation and depression See also cyclothymia

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noun

1. geometry the curve described by a point on the circumference of a circle as the circle rolls along a straight line Compare trochoid

2. a fish that has cycloid scales

cycloid Scientific  

/ sī′kloid′ /

1. Resembling a circle.

2. Thin, rounded, and smooth-edged, like a disk. Used of fish scales.

3. The curve traced by a point on the circumference of a circle that rolls on a straight line.

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Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• cycloidal
  adjective
• cycloidally
  adverb

Etymology

Origin of cycloid

First recorded in 1655–65, cycloid is from the Greek word kykloeidḗs like a circle. See cycl-, -oid

Example Sentences

These treatises, with the exception of that on the Cycloid, were composed and printed in the year 1654, but were not published till 1668, after the death of the author.”

From Pascal by Oliphant, Mrs. (Margaret)

Cycloid External epicycloid, described by a circle rolling about a fixed circle inside of it.

From Scientific American, Volume 22, No. 1, January 1, 1870 A Weekly Journal of Practical Information, Art, Science, Mechanics, Chemistry, and Manufactures. by Various