osculating plane

noun

, Mathematics.

1. the plane containing the circle of curvature of a point on a given curve.

Word History and Origins

Origin of osculating plane¹

First recorded in 1860–65

Example Sentences

That is to say, the osculating plane at any point of a geodetic line contains the normal to the surface at that point.

From Project Gutenberg

An osculating plane of the curve (see 38 below) is a tangent plane of the torse all along a generating line.

From Project Gutenberg