Dictionary entries for 'curve'

Synonyms

curve (kûrv)

[From Middle English, curved, from Latin curvus, N., sense 6, short for curve ball.]

noun

1. A line that deviates from straightness in a smooth, continuous fashion.
2. A surface that deviates from planarity in a smooth, continuous fashion.
3. Something characterized by such a line or surface, especially a rounded line or contour of the human body.
A relatively smooth bend in a road or other course.
1. A line representing data on a graph.
2. A trend derived from or as if from such a graph: “Once again, the politicians are behind the curve” (Ted Kennedy)
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.
Mathematics
1. The graph of a function on a coordinate plane.
2. The intersection of two surfaces in three dimensions.
3. The graph of the solutions to any equation of two variables.
Baseball A curve ball.
Slang Something that is unexpected or designed to trick or deceive.