rhumb
Americannoun
Etymology
Origin of rhumb
1570–80; < Spanish rumbo < Latin rhombus rhombus
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
The Mercator map is arguably the best for this purpose, because it straightens out spiraling rhumb lines, and that’s why it rose to dominance.
From Slate ● Jan. 21, 2026
The problem is that rhumb lines aren’t lines; they’re spirals that wind toward the North or South Pole.
From Slate ● Jan. 21, 2026
They are known for distinctive rhumb lines that radiate out from various points in the ocean in the direction of wind or compass points to help navigators plot their course.
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 25, 2023
To ensure that every cartouche, sea monster and rhumb line remains vibrant, the men keep the Venetian blinds in their south-facing apartment drawn, as if for a permanent siesta.
From New York Times ● Jan. 23, 2014
After a march of an hour and three quarters,'covering five indirect and three direct miles in a south-eastern rhumb, we reached Banza Nkaye, the royal village, where the sympiesometer showed 1430 feet.
From Two Trips to Gorilla Land and the Cataracts of the Congo Volume 2 by Sir Richard Francis Burton
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