[syn: geodetic, geodesic, geodesical]
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:
Geodesic \Ge`o*des"ic\ (j[=e]`[-o]*d[e^]s"[i^]k), Geodesical
\Ge`o*des"ic*al\ (-[i^]*kal), a. [Cf. F. g['e]od['e]sique.]
1. (Math.) Of or pertaining to geodesy; geodetic.
[1913 Webster]
2. (Architecture) Made of lightweight structural supporting
elements connected in a manner to provide great rigidity;
-- of structures; as, The geodesic dome was invented by R.
Buckminster Fuller.
[PJC]
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:
Geodesic \Ge`o*des"ic\, n.
A geodetic line or curve.
[1913 Webster]
WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006):
geodesic
adj 1: of or relating to or determined by geodesy [syn:
geodetic, geodesic, geodesical]
n 1: (mathematics) the shortest line between two points on a
mathematically defined surface (as a straight line on a
plane or an arc of a great circle on a sphere) [syn:
geodesic, geodesic line]