Curvature

Pronunciation: k?r"v?-t?r; 135
n.
  1. The act of curving, or the state of being bent or curved; a curving or bending, normal or abnormal, as of a line or surface from a rectilinear direction; a bend; a curve.
  2. (Math.) The amount of degree of bending of a mathematical curve, or the tendency at any point to depart from a tangent drawn to the curve at that point.
    3. Aberrancy of curvature (Geom.),
    the deviation of a curve from a circular form.
    Absolute curvature .
    See under Absolute.
    Angle of curvature (Geom.),
    one that expresses the amount of curvature of a curve.
    Chord of curvature .
    See under Chord.
    Circle of curvature .
    See Osculating circle of a curve, under Circle.
    Curvature of the spine (Med.),
    an abnormal curving of the spine, especially in a lateral direction.
    Radius of curvature ,
    the radius of the circle of curvature, or osculatory circle, at any point of a curve.