Curve

English Meaning

Bent without angles; crooked; curved; as, a curve line; a curve surface.

1. A line that deviates from straightness in a smooth, continuous fashion.
2. A surface that deviates from planarity in a smooth, continuous fashion.
3. Something characterized by such a line or surface, especially a rounded line or contour of the human body.
4. A relatively smooth bend in a road or other course.
5. A line representing data on a graph.
6. A trend derived from or as if from such a graph: "Once again, the politicians are behind the curve” ( Ted Kennedy).
7. 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.
8. Mathematics The graph of a function on a coordinate plane.
9. Mathematics The intersection of two surfaces in three dimensions.
10. Mathematics The graph of the solutions to any equation of two variables.
11. Baseball A curve ball.
12. Slang Something that is unexpected or designed to trick or deceive.
13. To move in or take the shape of a curve: The path curves around the lake.
14. To cause to curve. See Synonyms at bend1.
15. Baseball To pitch a curve ball to.
16. To grade (students, for example) on a curve.