curve Hear it!

curve Definition

curve (kʉrv)

adjective

Archaic curved

Etymology: L curvus, bent: see crown

noun

  1. a line having no straight part; bend having no angular part
  2. a thing or part having the shape of a curve
  3. the act of curving, or the extent of this
  4. the pronounced curving outline of a shapely female figure
  5. ☆ Baseball a ball thrown by a right-handed pitcher that curves to the pitcher's left, or one thrown by a left-handed pitcher that curves to the pitcher's right
  6. a curved line or similar graphic representation showing variations occurring or expected to occur in prices, business conditions, group achievements, etc.
  7. French curve
  8. Math. a one-dimensional continuum of points in a space of two or more dimensions, such as a parabola in a plane or a helix in three-dimensional space: a straight line or line segment is a type of curve

transitive verb, intransitive verb curved, curv′·ing

  1. to form a curve by bending
  2. to move in a curved path

curve Idioms

ahead of the curve

anticipating (or not keeping up with) current trends, developments, etc.

curve Synonyms

curve

n.

  1. A bend

    sweep, flexure, bow, arch, crescent, horseshoe, circuit, curvature, crook, oxbow, catenary, trajectory, conic section, sinus, camber.

    Types of curves include: bell curve, bell-shaped curve, hairpin curve, S-curve, sine curve, extrapolated curve, hyperbolic curve, parabolic curve, normal curve, asymptomatic curve, logarithmic curve, French curve, linear curve, parabola, hyperbola, circle, ellipse, ogee, arc, chord.

  2. In baseball, a pitch that curves

    incurve, outcurve, dropcurve, in*, out*, drop*, outdrop*, screwball*, upshoot*, jumpball*, straight drop*, slant*, slider*, bender*, curly one*, breaker*, hook*, snake*.

curve Synonyms

curve

v.

bend, arc, crook, curl; see bend 1, 2. See syn. study at bend.

curve Usage Examples

Object

  • staircase: A wide curving staircase 3 is lit from above by a dome embossed with the town's Coat of Arms.
  • blade: Noise emissions are minimized on the burners by the inclusion of fans with reverse curved blades and sound-deadening material in the burner structure.
  • roof: The main internal area of the supermarket is covered by the curved roof with a 40m clear span.

Converse of object

  • learn: There will probably be a learning curve in the arrival of wireless USB.
  • accentuate: Bumps are displayed, cleavages revealed and curves accentuated by the new generation of well cut, and frankly sexy, maternity wear.

Preposition: over

3lbs: The latest trend seems to be for fast taper rods of high test curves over 3lbs.

Adjective modifier

  • steep: He said: It's been a steep learning curve.
  • elliptic: Elliptic curves offer major advances on older systems such as increased speed, less memory and smaller key sizes.
  • sweeping: Oulton is a wide circuit, with long sweeping curves, a rare mixture of gradients and some picturesque scenery.
  • upward: Thus there will be an upward sloping demand curve.
  • caloric: This climbing up the PES leads to the decreased slope of the caloric curve at higher energies.
  • lumbar: It fits snugly into your lumbar curve, relieving strain on the lower back muscles.

Modifies a noun

fitting: An important technical detail, Bayesian curve fitting, is discussed at length.

Noun used with modifier

  • stress-strain: The program includes the non-linear elastic behavior beyond the limit of proportionality using the generalized stress-strain curve of ESDU 76016.
  • calibration: Note that multiple plots on the calibration curve always use the default curve.
  • yield: The graph below shows the ' normal ' shape of a yield curve.
  • dose-response: These points of departure approaches mad better use of all the data to estimate the dose-response curve.
  • indifference: Summary The shape of indifference curves depends upon the preferences of the individual.
  • titration: Each titration curve should be given a unique label.

Preposition: of

2.5lbs: The carp rod is a 12ft, two piece rod, with a test curve of 2.5lbs.