catenary Definition
cat·enary (kat′ə ner′ē; chiefly Brit, kə tē′nər ē)
noun pl. -·nar′·ies
the curve made by a flexible, uniform chain or cord freely suspended between two fixed points
Etymology: L catenarius < catena, chain
adjective
designating or of such a curve
catenary Usage Examples
Adjective modifier
overhead: The overhead catenary is being revamped, with new wires going in around the depot building at the left hand side of the layout.
Modifies a noun
- wire: However, in the course of the project, the company was also asked to fit the catenary wires in position.
- curve: The site also demonstrates that a catenary curve is not quite the same as a parabola.
- system: A practical reason for this option is the catenary support system.
- arch: UK June August 1998 Built catenary arch wood fired salt kiln at Wysing Arts, Cambridgeshire.
- cable: The catenary cables just sail on past the ends of the bridge into the mountainside above.
- lighting: Courtesy of Terry Ogden Orange sodium catenary lighting illuminates the M62 passing through the M61 interchange.
Browse dictionary entries near catenary
- ‹ catena
- ‹ category
- ‹ categorize
- ‹ categorical imperative
- ‹ categorical
- ‹ catechumen
- ‹ catechu
- ‹ catecholamine
- ‹ catechol
- ‹ catechize
- catenate ›
- catenulate ›
- cater ›
- cater-cornered ›
- cater-cousin ›
- cater to ›
- cateran ›
- caterer ›
- caterpillar ›
- caterwaul ›

