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hyperbola definition

hy·per·bola (hī pʉr′bə lə)

noun pl. hyperbolas -·las or hyperbolae -·lae′ (-lē)

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

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

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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