noun pl. hyperbolas or hyperbolae
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)