curvature

/ˈkʌrvətʃər/

Other forms: curvatures

A rounded, bent, or arched shape in something is a curvature. When there's a wide expanse of open ocean, you can see the slight curvature of the earth right where it meets the horizon.

A curvature is the shape of something that's curved — and both words stem from the Latin curvare, "to bend." In math, the term curvature has several specific meanings depending on its context, but it basically comes down to a curving or bending away from a straight line. The curvature of your movie theater seat might make it particularly comfortable, while the curvature of your spine as you work on your computer may give you a backache later.

Definitions of curvature

1. noun

   the property possessed by the curving of a line or surface
   synonyms: curve

   types:

   curliness, waviness

   (of hair) a tendency to curl

   straightness

   (of hair) lack of a tendency to curl

   type of:

   configuration, conformation, contour, form, shape

   any spatial attributes (especially as defined by outline)
2. noun

   the rate of change (at a point) of the angle between a curve and a tangent to the curve
   type of:

   derivative, derived function, differential, differential coefficient, first derivative

   the result of mathematical differentiation; the instantaneous change of one quantity relative to another; df(x)/dx
3. noun

   (medicine) a curving or bending; often abnormal
   “curvature of the spine”

   type of:

   condition, status

   a state at a particular time