rhumb line
noun
a curve on the surface of a sphere that cuts all meridians at the same angle. It is the path taken by a vessel or aircraft that maintains a constant compass direction.
Origin of rhumb line
First recorded in 1660–70
Words nearby rhumb line
British Dictionary definitions for rhumb line
rhumb line
noun
an imaginary line on the surface of a sphere, such as the earth, that intersects all meridians at the same angle
the course navigated by a vessel or aircraft that maintains a uniform compass heading
Often shortened to:
rhumb
Word Origin for rhumb line
C16: from Old Spanish
rumbo, apparently from Middle Dutch
ruum space, ship's hold, but also influenced by Latin
rhombus