ogive

o·give  (jv)

n.

1. Statistics

a. A distribution curve in which the frequencies are cumulative.

b. A frequency distribution.

2. Architecture

a. A diagonal rib of a Gothic vault.

b. A pointed arch.

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[Middle English ogif and French ogive, diagonal rib of a vault, both from Old French augive, probably from Vulgar Latin *obvitva, from Late Latin obvita, feminine past participle of obvire, to resist; see obviate.]

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o·gival adj.

Thesaurus

Noun

1.

ogive - front consisting of the conical head of a missile or rocket that protects the payload from heat during its passage through the atmosphere nose cone front - the side that is seen or that goes first heat shield - a protective covering that protects a spacecraft from overheating on reentry