limaçon

[ lim-uh-son ]

nounGeometry.
  1. a plane curve generated by the locus of a point on a line at a fixed distance from the point of intersection of the line with a fixed circle, as the line revolves about a point on the circumference of the circle. Equation: r = a cosθ + b.

Origin of limaçon

1
1575–85; <French: literally, snail, Old French, derivative of limaz<Latin līmācem, accusative of līmāx snail, slug

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British Dictionary definitions for limaçon

limaçon

/ (ˈlɪməˌsɒn) /


noun
  1. a heart-shaped curve generated by a point lying on a line at a fixed distance from the intersection of the line with a fixed circle, the line rotating about a point on the circumference of the circle

Origin of limaçon

1
French, literally: snail (so named by Pascal)

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012