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great circle

 - 2 dictionary results

great circle

 
Use great circle in a Sentence
–noun
1. a circle on a spherical surface such that the plane containing the circle passes through the center of the sphere. Compare small circle.
2. a circle of which a segment represents the shortest distance between two points on the surface of the earth.
Origin:
1585–95
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To great circle
great circle  
n.  

  1. A circle described by the intersection of the surface of a sphere with a plane passing through the center of the sphere.

  2. A segment of such a circle representing the shortest distance between two terrestrial points.

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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