curve

curve [kʉrv]

adj.

[L curvus, bent: see CROWN]

Archaic curved

n.

1. a line having no straight part; bend having no angular part

2. a thing or part having the shape of a curve

3. the act of curving, or the extent of this

4. [pl.] the pronounced curving outline of a shapely female figure

☆ 5. Baseball a ball thrown by a right-handed pitcher that curves to the pitcher's left, or one thrown by a left-handed pitcher that curves to the pitcher's right

6. a curved line or similar graphic representation showing variations occurring or expected to occur in prices, business conditions, group achievements, etc.

7. FRENCH CURVE

8. Math. a one-dimensional continuum of points in a space of two or more dimensions, such as a parabola in a plane or a helix in three-dimensional space: a straight line or line segment is a type of curve

vt., vi.

curved, curving

1. to form a curve by bending

2. to move in a curved path

——————

ahead of the curve or behind the curve

anticipating (or not keeping up with) current trends, developments, etc.

SYN.- CURVE suggests a swerving or deflection in a line that follows or approximates the arc of a circle [he curved the next pitch ]; BEND¹ refers to the curving of something that is normally straight but that yields to pressure or tension [to bend a wire ]; TWIST, in this connection, implies greater resistance in the object to be bent and often connotes a wrenching out of the normal line [to twist one's arm ]; TURN, in this comparison often interchangeable with BEND¹, is used specifically where the object is curved back upon itself [to turn a bed sheet ]