chord of curvature

Webster's Dictionary (GCIDE)

Curvature \Cur"va*ture\ (k?r"v?-t?r; 135), n. [L. curvatura. See Curvate.]

1.The act of curving, or the state of being bent or curved; a curving or bending, normal or abnormal, as of a line or surface from a rectilinear direction; a bend; a curve. --Cowper. [1913 Webster]

The elegant curvature of their fronds.— Darwin.[1913 Webster]

2.(Math.) The amount of degree of bending of a mathematical curve, or the tendency at any point to depart from a tangent drawn to the curve at that point. [1913 Webster]

Aberrancy of curvature (Geom.), the deviation of a curve from a circular form.

Absolute curvature. See under Absolute.

Angle of curvature (Geom.), one that expresses the amount of curvature of a curve.

Chord of curvature. See under Chord.

Circle of curvature. See Osculating circle of a curve, under Circle.

Curvature of the spine (Med.), an abnormal curving of the spine, especially in a lateral direction.

Radius of curvature, the radius of the circle of curvature, or osculatory circle, at any point of a curve. [1913 Webster]

Chord \Chord\ (k[^o]rd), n. [L chorda a gut, a string made of a gut, Gr. chordh`. In the sense of a string or small rope, in general, it is written cord. See Cord.]

1.The string of a musical instrument. --Milton. [1913 Webster]

2.(Mus.) A combination of tones simultaneously performed, producing more or less perfect harmony, as, the common chord. [1913 Webster]

3.(Geom.) A right line uniting the extremities of the arc of a circle or curve. [1913 Webster]

4.(Anat.) A cord. See Cord, n., 4. [1913 Webster]

5.(Engin.) The upper or lower part of a truss, usually horizontal, resisting compression or tension. --Waddell. [1913 Webster]

Accidental, Common, & Vocal chords. See under Accidental, Common, and Vocal.

Chord of an arch. See Illust. of Arch.

Chord of curvature, a chord drawn from any point of a curve, in the circle of curvature for that point.

Scale of chords. See Scale. [1913 Webster]