curvature Hear it!

curvature definition

cur·va·ture (kʉr′və c̸hər)

noun

  1. a curving or being curved
  2. a curve; curved part of anything
  3. Geom. the rate of deviation of a curve or curved surface from a straight line or plane surface tangent to it
  4. Med. an abnormal curving of a part curvature of the spine

Etymology: ME < L curvatura < curvare: see curve

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2009 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

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