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hyperbola

(hī pʉr′bə lə)

Geom. the path of a point that moves so that the difference of its distances from two fixed points, the foci, is constant; curve formed by the section of a cone cut by a plane more steeply inclined than the side of the cone

Origin: ModL < Gr hyperbolē, a throwing beyond, excess < hyperballein, to throw beyond < hyper- (see hyper-) + ballein, to throw (see ball)

See hyperbola in American Heritage Dictionary 4

noun pl. hy·per·bo·las or hy·per·bo·lae (-lē)

A plane curve having two branches, formed by the intersection of a plane with both halves of a right circular cone at an angle parallel to the axis of the cone. It is the locus of points for which the difference of the distances from two given points is a constant.

Origin:

Origin: New Latin

Origin: , from Greek huperbolē, a throwing beyond, excess (from the relationship between the line joining the vertices of a conic and the line through its focus and parallel to its directrix); see hyperbole

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