curvilinear
/ˌkɜːvɪˈlɪniə(r)/ (bre, ipa) · /ˌkɜːrvɪˈlɪniər/ (ame, ipa) · /ˌkər-və-ˈli-nē-ər/ (ame, mw)
curvilinear — adjective
- curvilinearpositive
- more curvilinearcomparative
- most curvilinearsuperlative
1. made up of curved lines rather than straight ones, often used to describe shapes
made up of curved lines rather than straight ones, often used to describe shapes, designs, or paths.
The new museum in Bilbao has a striking curvilinear roof that ripples like ocean waves.
describing a building feature
Gabriela traced a curvilinear pattern around the edge of her ceramic bowl.
curvilinear pattern as a common collocation
The garden path follows a curvilinear route between the rose beds and the small pond.
Art nouveau furniture is famous for its flowing curvilinear forms.
Owen sketched a curvilinear graph to show how the temperature rose during the day.
- rectilinear
the direct opposite: made of straight lines
- straight
general everyday opposite
用法筆記
Common in architecture, design, art history, and mathematics. Often contrasts with 'rectilinear' (made of straight lines).