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geodesic

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ge⋅o⋅des⋅ic

[jee-uh-des-ik, -dee-sik]
–adjective
1. Also, ge⋅o⋅des⋅i⋅cal. pertaining to the geometry of curved surfaces, in which geodesic lines take the place of the straight lines of plane geometry.
–noun
2. geodesic line.

Origin:
1815–25; < F géodésique. See geodesy, -ic
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
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ge·o·des·ic   (jē'ə-děs'ĭk, -dē'sĭk)   
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.

[From geodesy.]
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Word Origin & History

geodesic 
1821, from geodesy "surveying" (1570), from Gk. geodaisia "division of the earth," ult. from ge "earth, land" + daiein "divide."
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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