catenary
noun
pl. -·nar·ies the curve made by a flexible, uniform chain or cord freely suspended between two fixed points
Origin of catenary
Classical Latin catenarius from catena, chain designating or of such a curve
also cat·enar′ian
catenary
noun
pl. cat·e·nar·ies- The curve formed by a perfectly flexible, uniformly dense, and inextensible cable suspended from its endpoints. It is identical to the graph of a hyperbolic cosine.
- Something having the general shape of this curve.
Origin of catenary
New Latin catēnāria from Latin feminine of catēnārius relating to a chain from catēna chainRelated Forms:
- cat′e·nar′y
adjective
catenary
The equation for this catenary with a as the y -intercept is y = a 2 ( ex/a + e-x/a ).
catenary
Adjective
(comparative more catenary, superlative most catenary)
- Relating to a chain; like a chain.
Noun
(plural catenaries)
- (geometry) The curve described by a flexible chain or a rope if it is supported at each end and is acted upon only by no other forces than a uniform gravitational force due to its own weight.
- (nautical) The curve of an anchor cable from the seabed to the vessel; it should be horizontal at the anchor so as to bury the flukes.
- A system of overhead power lines that provide trains, trolleys, buses, etc., with electricity, having a straight conductor wire and a bowed suspension cable.
Origin
From Late Latin catenaria, in turn from Latin catēna (“chain”). Attested since 1788.
