Geodetic line

the shortest line that can be drawn between two points on the elipsoidal surface of the earth; a curve drawn on any given surface so that the osculating plane of the curve at every point shall contain the normal to the surface; the minimum line that can be drawn on any surface between any two points.

geodetic line

[¦jē·ə¦ded·ik ′līn] (geodesy) The shortest line between any two points on the surface of the spheroid.

geodesic

Great circle is the shortest distance between two points.The shortest distance between two points on any surface. The shortest distance between two places on earth derived mathematically is called a geodetic line.

geodesic line

The shortest line, on a mathematically derived surface, between two points. Also called geodesic. A geodesic line on the spheroidal earth is called a geodetic line. It is a portion of the great-circle arc. See geodesic.