catenary
[ kat-n-er-ee; especially British kuh-tee-nuh-ree ]
/ ˈkæt nˌɛr i; especially British kəˈti nə ri /
noun, plural cat·e·nar·ies.
Mathematics.
the curve assumed approximately by a heavy uniform cord or chain hanging freely from two points not in the same vertical line. Equation: y = kcosh(x/k).
(in electric railroads) the cable, running above the track, from which the trolley wire is suspended.
adjective
of, relating to, or resembling a catenary.
of or relating to a chain or linked series.
Origin of catenary
Words nearby catenary
category management,
category mistake,
catena,
catenaccio,
catenane,
catenary,
catenate,
catenation,
catenoid,
catenulate,
cater
Example sentences from the Web for catenary
British Dictionary definitions for catenary
catenary
/ (kəˈtiːnərɪ) /
noun plural -ries
the curve assumed by a heavy uniform flexible cord hanging freely from two points. When symmetrical about the y- axis and intersecting it at y = a, the equation is y = a cosh x / a
the hanging cable between pylons along a railway track, from which the trolley wire is suspended
adjective Also: catenarian (ˌkætɪˈnɛərɪən)
of, resembling, relating to, or constructed using a catenary or suspended chain
Word Origin for catenary
C18: from Latin
catēnārius relating to a chain