curving

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.

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[From Middle English, curved, from Latin curvus; see sker-² in Indo-European roots. N., sense 6, short for curve ball.]

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curved·ness n.

curvy adj.

Thesaurus

Adj.

1.

curving - having or marked by a curve or smoothly rounded bend; "the curved tusks of a walrus"; "his curved lips suggested a smile but his eyes were hard" curved