GEODESIC

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

IPA (US):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does geodesic mean? 

• GEODESIC (noun)
  The noun GEODESIC has 1 sense:

1. (mathematics) the shortest line between two points on a mathematically defined surface (as a straight line on a plane or an arc of a great circle on a sphere)

  Familiarity information: GEODESIC used as a noun is very rare.

• GEODESIC (adjective)
  The adjective GEODESIC has 1 sense:

1. of or relating to or determined by geodesy

  Familiarity information: GEODESIC used as an adjective is very rare.

 Dictionary entry details 

• GEODESIC (noun)

Sense 1

Meaning:

(mathematics) the shortest line between two points on a mathematically defined surface (as a straight line on a plane or an arc of a great circle on a sphere)

Classified under:

Nouns denoting two and three dimensional shapes

Synonyms:

geodesic; geodesic line

Hypernyms ("geodesic" is a kind of...):

line (a length (straight or curved) without breadth or thickness; the trace of a moving point)

Domain category:

math; mathematics; maths (a science (or group of related sciences) dealing with the logic of quantity and shape and arrangement)

Derivation:

geodesic (of or relating to or determined by geodesy)

• GEODESIC (adjective)

Sense 1

Meaning:

Of or relating to or determined by geodesy

Classified under:

Relational adjectives (pertainyms)

Synonyms:

geodesic; geodesical; geodetic

Pertainym:

geodesy (the branch of geology that studies the shape of the earth and the determination of the exact position of geographical points)

Derivation:

geodesic ((mathematics) the shortest line between two points on a mathematically defined surface (as a straight line on a plane or an arc of a great circle on a sphere))

geodesy (the branch of geology that studies the shape of the earth and the determination of the exact position of geographical points)

 Context examples 

Buckyballs, named because they resemble the geodesic domes built by architect Buckminster Fuller, were discovered in 1985 among the byproducts of laser vaporization of graphite in which the carbon atoms are arranged in sheets.

(Buckyball, The Titi Tudorancea Bulletin)