epicycloid

[ ep-uh-sahy-kloid ]

nounGeometry.
  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].

Origin of epicycloid

1
First recorded in 1780–90; epicycle + -oid

Other words from epicycloid

  • ep·i·cy·cloi·dal, adjective

Words Nearby epicycloid

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How to use epicycloid in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for epicycloid

epicycloid

/ (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 (def. 4)

Derived forms of epicycloid

  • epicycloidal, adjective

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

Scientific definitions for epicycloid

epicycloid

[ ĕp′ĭ-sīkloid′ ]


  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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