haversine

[hav-er-sahyn]

noun

Trigonometry.

1. one half the versed sine of a given angle or arc.

haversine

/ ˈhævəˌsaɪn /

noun

1. obsolete,  half the value of the versed sine

Word History and Origins

Origin of haversine¹

First recorded in 1870–75; ha(lf) + ver(sed) + sine ( def. )

Word History and Origins

Origin of haversine¹

C19: combination of half + versed + _sine ¹

Example Sentences

Versine and haversine were used the most often.

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The haversine formula could yield accurate results without requiring the computationally expensive operations of squares and square roots.

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Now that computers are so powerful, the haversine has gone the way of the floppy disc.

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Another advantage to the versine and haversine is that they can keep you from having to square something.

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But the haversine may have been more important in more recent history, when it was used in navigation.

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