curvature
/ˈkɜːvətʃə(r)/ (bre, ipa) · [kˈɚvətʃɚ] /ˈkɜːrvətʃər/ (ame, ipa) · [kˈɚvətʃɚ] /ˈkər-və-ˌchu̇r How to pronounce curvature (audio) -chər, -ˌtyu̇r, -ˌtu̇r/ (ame, mw)
curvature — noun
1. the shape or degree of something that bends smoothly instead of staying straight
the shape or degree of something that bends smoothly instead of staying straight.
The designer checked the curvature of the chair's back before production.
the curvature of + object part
Snow collected along the gentle curvature of the greenhouse roof.
An MRI showed the normal curvature of Naoko's lower spine.
The road's curvature becomes sharper near the tunnel entrance.
- straightness
the state of not bending away from a straight line
文法句型
the curvature of + noun
用法筆記
Usually appears in 'the curvature of ...' when talking about roads, roofs, lenses, or body parts. Unlike sense 2, this use describes the visible shape and does not require a calculated value.
2. a value used in mathematics to show how strongly a line or surface changes direc
a value used in mathematics to show how strongly a line or surface changes direction at a particular point.
In calculus, curvature near the peak helps describe the graph's shape.
curvature in graph description
The engineer calculated the curvature of the rail at each bend.
A circle with a smaller radius has greater curvature.
The software marks points where the surface curvature changes suddenly.
文法句型
the curvature of + line/surface
curvature at + point
用法筆記
Common in mathematics, physics, and engineering. A smaller radius usually means greater curvature. Distinguish this from sense 1, which can often be judged by eye without calculating a number.
3. an unhealthy bending of a body part, especially the spine, away from its usual s
an unhealthy bending of a body part, especially the spine, away from its usual shape.
The X-ray confirmed a slight curvature of Mert's spine.
a slight curvature of the spine
Doctors monitored the spinal curvature as Hari grew taller.
A back brace can slow the curvature in some teenagers.
The surgeon explained how the abnormal curvature affected Yael's breathing.
- deformity
broader medical word for an abnormal shape; curvature is more specific about bending
文法句型
curvature of + body part
monitor/treat + curvature
用法筆記
Often used in medical contexts with words like 'spinal', 'abnormal', 'mild', or 'severe'. Unlike sense 1, this sense usually implies a health problem that may need monitoring or treatment.