geodesic

ge·o·des·ic  (j-dsk, -dsk)

adj.

1. Of or relating to the geometry of geodesics.

2. Of or relating to geodesy.

n.

The shortest line between two points on any mathematically defined surface.

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[From geodesy.]

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geodesic

Adjective

relating to the geometry of curved surfaces

Noun

the shortest line between two points on a curved surface

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geodesic  (j-dsk, -dsk)

Noun

A curve that locally minimizes the distance between two points on any mathematically defined space, such as a curved manifold. Equivalently, it is a path of minimal curvature. In noncurved three-dimensional space, the geodesic is a straight line. In General Relativity, the trajectory of a body with negligible mass on which only gravitational forces are acting (i.e. a free falling body) is a geodesic in (curved) 4-dimensional space-time.

Adjective

Of or relating to the branch of geometry that deals with geodesics.

Thesaurus

Noun	1.	geodesic - (mathematics) the shortest line between two points on a mathematically defined surface (as a straight line on a plane or an arc of a great circle on a sphere) geodesic line math, mathematics, maths - a science (or group of related sciences) dealing with the logic of quantity and shape and arrangement line - a length (straight or curved) without breadth or thickness; the trace of a moving point
Adj.	1.	geodesic - of or relating to or determined by geodesy geodesical, geodetic