rhumb line
noun
a curve on the surface of a sphere that cuts all meridians at the same angle. It is the path taken by a vessel or aircraft that maintains a constant compass direction.
Words nearby rhumb line
Origin of rhumb line
First recorded in 1660–70
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2020
British Dictionary definitions for rhumb line
rhumb line
noun
an imaginary line on the surface of a sphere, such as the earth, that intersects all meridians at the same angle
the course navigated by a vessel or aircraft that maintains a uniform compass heading
Often shortened to: rhumb
Word Origin for rhumb line
C16: from Old Spanish rumbo, apparently from Middle Dutch ruum space, ship's hold, but also influenced by Latin rhombus
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