epicycloid

American  

[ep-uh-sahy-kloid] / ˌɛp əˈsaɪ klɔɪd /

noun

Geometry.

1. a curve generated by the motion of a point on the circumference of a circle that rolls externally, without slipping, on a fixed circle. Equation: x = (a +b ) cos(θ) − b cos[(a +b )θ/ b ] and y = (a +b ) sin(θ) − b sin[(a +b )θ/ b ].

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epicycloid British  

/ ˌɛpɪˈsaɪklɔɪd /

noun

1. the curve described by a point on the circumference of a circle as this circle rolls around the outside of another fixed circle, the two circles being coplanar Compare hypocycloid cycloid

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epicycloid Scientific  

/ ĕp′ĭ-sī′kloid′ /

1. The curve described by a point on the circumference of a circle as the circle rolls on the outside of the circumference of a second, fixed circle.

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Other Word Forms

• epicycloidal
  adjective

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Etymology

Origin of epicycloid

First recorded in 1780–90; epicycle + -oid

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

epicycloid

The curve so generated or described by the point d will be a spherical epicycloid.

From Modern Machine-Shop Practice, Volumes I and II by Joshua Rose

The epicycloid shown is termed the “three-cusped epicycloid” or the “epicycloid of Cremona.”

From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 9, Slice 6 "English Language" to "Epsom Salts" by Various

Thomson shows that if, in certain conditions, a conductor is placed in a magnetic field, the ions have to describe an epicycloid, and their journey is thus lengthened, while the electric resistance must increase.

From The New Physics and Its Evolution by Lucien Poincaré

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

From Scientific American, Volume 40, No. 13, March 29, 1879 A Weekly Journal of Practical Information, Art, Science, Mechanics, Chemistry, and Manufactures by Various

It is impossible to mill out even a convex cycloid or epicycloid, by the means and in the manner above described.

From Modern Machine-Shop Practice, Volumes I and II by Joshua Rose

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