geodesic
[ jee-uh-des-ik, -dee-sik ]
/ ˌdʒi əˈdɛs ɪk, -ˈdi sɪk /
adjective
Also ge·o·des·i·cal.
pertaining to the geometry of curved surfaces, in which geodesic lines take the place of the straight lines of plane geometry.
noun
Words nearby geodesic
geocode,
geocorona,
geod.,
geode,
geodemographics,
geodesic,
geodesic dome,
geodesic line,
geodesy,
geodetic,
geodetic latitude
Example sentences from the Web for geodesic
The world line of a ray of light is a geodesic in the continuum.
Astounding Stories, March, 1931 |VariousHis experiments on the pendulum and Geodesic surveys rendered him famous.
The Every Day Book of History and Chronology |Joel Munsell
British Dictionary definitions for geodesic
geodesic
/ (ˌdʒiːəʊˈdɛsɪk, -ˈdiː-) /
adjective
Also: geodetic, geodesical
relating to or involving the geometry of curved surfaces
noun
Also called: geodesic line
the shortest line between two points on a curved or plane surface
Scientific definitions for geodesic
geodesic
[ jē′ə-dĕs′ĭk, -dē′sĭk ]
Noun
A curve that locally minimizes the distance between two points on any mathematically defined space, such as a curved manifold. Equivalently, it is a path of minimal curvature. In noncurved three-dimensional space, the geodesic is a straight line. In General Relativity, the trajectory of a body with negligible mass on which only gravitational forces are acting (i.e. a free falling body) is a geodesic in (curved) 4-dimensional space-time.
Adjective
Of or relating to the branch of geometry that deals with geodesics.