conic section

/ˌkɑnɪk ˌsɛkʃən/

Other forms: conic sections

Definitions of conic section

1. noun

   (geometry) a curve generated by the intersection of a plane and a circular cone
   synonyms: conic

   types:

   ellipse, oval

   a closed plane curve resulting from the intersection of a circular cone and a plane cutting completely through it

   parabola

   a plane curve formed by the intersection of a right circular cone and a plane parallel to an element of the curve

   hyperbola

   an open curve formed by a plane that cuts the base of a right circular cone

   circle

   ellipse in which the two axes are of equal length; a plane curve generated by one point moving at a constant distance from a fixed point

   type of:

   plane figure, two-dimensional figure

   a two-dimensional shape