| curve (kûrv) n. 1. a. A line that deviates from straightness in a smooth, continuous fashion. b. A surface that deviates from planarity in a smooth, continuous fashion. c. Something characterized by such a line or surface, especially a rounded line or contour of the human body. 2. A relatively smooth bend in a road or other course. 3. a. A line representing data on a graph. b. A trend derived from or as if from such a graph: "Once again, the politicians are behind the curve" (Ted Kennedy). 4. A graphic representation showing the relative performance of individuals as measured against each other, used especially as a method of grading students in which the assignment of grades is based on predetermined proportions of students. 5. Mathematics a. The graph of a function on a coordinate plane. b. The intersection of two surfaces in three dimensions. c. The graph of the solutions to any equation of two variables. 6. Baseball A curve ball. 7. Slang Something that is unexpected or designed to trick or deceive. v. curved, curv·ing, curves v.intr. To move in or take the shape of a curve: The path curves around the lake. v.tr. 1. To cause to curve. See Synonyms at bend1. 2. Baseball To pitch a curve ball to. 3. To grade (students, for example) on a curve. [From Middle English, curved, from Latin curvus; see sker-2 in Indo-European roots. N., sense 6, short for curve ball.] curv  ed·ness n.curv y adj. |
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