limaçon

American  

[lim-uh-son] / ˈlɪm əˌsɒn /

noun

Geometry.

1. a plane curve generated by the locus of a point on a line at a fixed distance from the point of intersection of the line with a fixed circle, as the line revolves about a point on the circumference of the circle. Equation: r = a cosθ + b.

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limaçon British  

/ ˈlɪməˌsɒn /

noun

1. a heart-shaped curve generated by a point lying on a line at a fixed distance from the intersection of the line with a fixed circle, the line rotating about a point on the circumference of the circle

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Etymology

Origin of limaçon

1575–85; < French: literally, snail, Old French, derivative of limaz < Latin līmācem, accusative of līmāx snail, slug

Example Sentences

The formulas that produce the graphs of an inner-loop limaçon are given by and for and See Example 6.

From Textbooks • Feb. 13, 2015

Another type of limaçon, the inner-loop limaçon, is named for the loop formed inside the general limaçon shape.

From Textbooks • Feb. 13, 2015

As mentioned earlier, the cardioid is a member of the limaçon family, and we can see the similarities in the graphs.

From Textbooks • Feb. 13, 2015

The formulas that produce the graphs of a one-loop limaçon are given by and for See Example 5.

From Textbooks • Feb. 13, 2015