curvature

[ kur-vuh-cher, -choo r ]
/ ˈkɜr və tʃər, -ˌtʃʊər /
SEE SYNONYMS FOR curvature ON THESAURUS.COM

noun

the act of curving or the state of being curved.
a curved condition, often abnormal: curvature of the spine.
the degree of curving of a line or surface.
Geometry.
  1. (at a point on a curve) the derivative of the inclination of the tangent with respect to arc length.
  2. the absolute value of this derivative.
something curved.

Origin of curvature

1375–1425; late Middle English < Latin curvātūra, equivalent to curvāt(us) past participle of curvāre to bend, curve + -ūra -ure. See -ate1

Words nearby curvature

curtsey, curtsy, curule, curule chair, curvaceous, curvature, curvature aberration, curvature hyperopia, curvature myopia, curvature of field, curvature of space

Words related to curvature

curve, shape, arc, bend, bow, arch, round, incurvation, deflection, flexure, curving, arching

Example sentences from the Web for curvature

British Dictionary definitions for curvature

curvature
/ (ˈkɜːvətʃə) /

noun

something curved or a curved part of a thing
any normal or abnormal curving of a bodily part curvature of the spine
geometry the change in inclination of a tangent to a curve over unit length of arc. For a circle or sphere it is the reciprocal of the radius See also radius of curvature, centre of curvature
the act of curving or the state or degree of being curved or bent

Medical definitions for curvature

curvature
[ kûr′və-chur′ ]

n.

A curving or bending, especially an abnormal one.