curvedness


curve

C0820400 (kûrv)n.1. a. A line that deviates from straightness in a smooth, continuous fashion.b. A surface that deviates from planarity in a smooth, continuous fashion.c. Something characterized by such a line or surface, especially a rounded line or contour of the human body.2. A relatively smooth bend in a road or other course.3. a. A line representing data on a graph.b. A trend derived from or as if from such a graph: "Once again, the politicians are behind the curve" (Ted Kennedy).4. A graphic representation showing the relative performance of individuals as measured against each other, used especially as a method of grading students in which the assignment of grades is based on predetermined proportions of students.5. Mathematics a. The graph of a function on a coordinate plane.b. The intersection of two surfaces in three dimensions.c. The graph of the solutions to any equation of two variables.6. Baseball A curve ball.7. Slang Something that is unexpected or designed to trick or deceive.v. curved, curv·ing, curves v.intr. To move in or take the shape of a curve: The path curves around the lake.v.tr.1. To cause to curve.2. Baseball To pitch (a ball) with a curve.3. To grade (students, for example) on a curve.
[From Middle English, curved, from Latin curvus; see sker- in Indo-European roots. N., sense 6, short for curve ball.]
curv′ed·ness n.curv′y adj.