spline

[ splahyn ]

/ splaɪn /

Save This Word!

noun

a long, narrow, thin strip of wood, metal, etc.; slat.

a long, flexible strip of wood or the like, used in drawing curves.

Machinery.

any of a series of uniformly spaced ridges on a shaft, parallel to its axis and fitting inside corresponding grooves in the hub of a gear, etc., to transmit torque.
feather key.

Building Trades. a thin strip of material inserted into the edges of two boards, acoustic tiles, etc., to make a butt joint between them; a feather.

Mathematics, Engineering. a function that has specified values at a finite number of points and consists of segments of polynomial functions joined smoothly at these points, enabling it to be used for approximation and interpolation of functions.

verb (used with object), splined, splin·ing.Machinery.

to provide with a spline or key.

to provide with a keyway.

QUIZ

CAN YOU ANSWER THESE COMMON GRAMMAR DEBATES?

There are grammar debates that never die; and the ones highlighted in the questions in this quiz are sure to rile everyone up once again. Do you know how to answer the questions that cause some of the greatest grammar debates?

Question 1 of 7

Which sentence is correct?

His boss, whom he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

His boss, who he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Origin of spline

First recorded in 1750–60; originally East Anglian dialect ; perhaps akin to splint; compare Old English splin “spindle”

Words nearby spline

splenomegaly, spleuchan, splice, splicer, spliff, spline, splint, splint bone, splinter, splinter group, splintery

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use spline in a sentence

The rotating ratchet is in the band of the cylinder and has a spline in it, and a pall on its outside.
Report of the Hoosac Tunnel and Troy and Greenfield Railroad, by the Joint Standing Committee of 1866.|Tappan Wentworth
This shaft is driven by a spline and bevel gearing and is supported by a threaded feed-nut, carried in the lower bearing.
Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 4, Slice 3|Various
A very satisfactory ring is made by the writer's classes, by using chair spline.
Toy Craft|Leon H. Baxter
It is a neat but weak joint unless reinforced by a spline, nails, or in some other way.
Handwork in Wood|William Noyes

A spline or tongue miter is one which has a spline or tongue inserted at right angles to the joint.
Handwork in Wood|William Noyes

British Dictionary definitions for spline

spline

/ (splaɪn) /

noun

any one of a series of narrow keys (external splines) formed longitudinally around the circumference of a shaft that fit into corresponding grooves (internal splines) in a mating part: used to prevent movement between two parts, esp in transmitting torque

a long narrow strip of wood, metal, etc; slat

a thin narrow strip made of wood, metal, or plastic fitted into a groove in the edge of a board, tile, etc, to connect it to another

verb

(tr) to provide (a shaft, part, etc) with splines

Word Origin for spline

C18: East Anglian dialect; perhaps related to Old English splin spindle; see splint

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