geodesic

geodesic
a curve drawn upon a surface such that, if one takes any two adjacent points on the curve, the curve gives the shortest surface distance between them. The spiral rows of scales around and along the body of a fish usually forms a geodesic as may be shown by the fact that a string wound along a row hugs the fish tightly

Dictionary of ichthyology. 2009.

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  • geodesic — [jē΄ə des′ik, jē΄ōdē′sik] adj. 1. GEODETIC (sense 1) 2. a) designating the shortest surface line between two points on a surface, esp. a curved surface b) of or pertaining to the geometry of such lines ☆ 3. Archit. having a structurally strong… …   English World dictionary

  • Geodesic — Ge o*des ic (j[=e] [ o]*d[e^]s [i^]k), Geodesical Ge o*des ic*al ( [i^]*kal), a. [Cf. F. g[ e]od[ e]sique.] 1. (Math.) Of or pertaining to geodesy; geodetic. [1913 Webster] 2. (Architecture) Made of lightweight structural supporting elements… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • geodesic — 1821, from GEODESY (Cf. geodesy) surveying + IC (Cf. ic). Alternative adjective form geodetic is from 1834; geodetical is from c.1600. Geodesic dome attested from 1953 …   Etymology dictionary

  • geodesic — ► ADJECTIVE 1) referring to the shortest possible line between two points on a sphere or other curved surface. 2) (of a dome) constructed from struts which follow geodesic lines and form an open framework of triangles and polygons …   English terms dictionary

  • Geodesic — Ge o*des ic, n. A geodetic line or curve. [1913 Webster] …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Geodesic — [ great circle arcs.] In mathematics, a geodesic IPA|/ˌdʒiəˈdɛsɪk, ˈdisɪk/ [jee uh des ik, dee sik] is a generalization of the notion of a straight line to curved spaces . In presence of a metric, geodesics are defined to be (locally) the… …   Wikipedia

  • geodesic — adj. (also geodetic) 1 of or relating to geodesy. 2 of, involving, or consisting of a geodesic line. Phrases and idioms: geodesic dome a dome constructed of short struts along geodesic lines. geodesic line the shortest possible line between two… …   Useful english dictionary

  • geodesic — /jee euh des ik, dee sik/, adj. 1. Also, geodesical. pertaining to the geometry of curved surfaces, in which geodesic lines take the place of the straight lines of plane geometry. n. 2. See geodesic line. [1815 25; < F géodésique. See GEODESY,… …   Universalium

  • geodesic — ge•o•des•ic [[t]ˌdʒi əˈdɛs ɪk, ˈdi sɪk[/t]] adj. Also, ge o•des′i•cal 1) math. pertaining to the geometry of curved surfaces, in which geodesic lines take the place of the straight lines of plane geometry 2) pertaining to geodesy; geodetic 3)… …   From formal English to slang

  • geodesic — /dʒioʊˈdɛsɪk/ (say jeeoh desik), / ˈdisɪk/ (say deesik) adjective Also, geodesical. 1. relating to the geometry of curved surfaces, in which geodesic lines take the place of the straight lines of plane geometry. –noun 2. a geodesic line …  

  • geodesic — I. adjective Date: 1821 1. geodetic 2. made of light straight structural elements mostly in tension < a geodesic dome > II. noun Date: 1883 the shortest line between two points that lies in a given surface …   New Collegiate Dictionary

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