geodesic — [jē΄ə des′ik, jē΄ōdē′sik] adj. 1. GEODETIC (sense 1) 2. a) designating the shortest surface line between two points on a surface, esp. a curved surface b) of or pertaining to the geometry of such lines ☆ 3. Archit. having a structurally strong… … English World dictionary
Geodesic — Ge o*des ic (j[=e] [ o]*d[e^]s [i^]k), Geodesical Ge o*des ic*al ( [i^]*kal), a. [Cf. F. g[ e]od[ e]sique.] 1. (Math.) Of or pertaining to geodesy; geodetic. [1913 Webster] 2. (Architecture) Made of lightweight structural supporting elements… … The Collaborative International Dictionary of English
geodesic — 1821, from GEODESY (Cf. geodesy) surveying + IC (Cf. ic). Alternative adjective form geodetic is from 1834; geodetical is from c.1600. Geodesic dome attested from 1953 … Etymology dictionary
geodesic — ► ADJECTIVE 1) referring to the shortest possible line between two points on a sphere or other curved surface. 2) (of a dome) constructed from struts which follow geodesic lines and form an open framework of triangles and polygons … English terms dictionary
Geodesic — Ge o*des ic, n. A geodetic line or curve. [1913 Webster] … The Collaborative International Dictionary of English
Geodesic — [ great circle arcs.] In mathematics, a geodesic IPA|/ˌdʒiəˈdɛsɪk, ˈdisɪk/ [jee uh des ik, dee sik] is a generalization of the notion of a straight line to curved spaces . In presence of a metric, geodesics are defined to be (locally) the… … Wikipedia
geodesic — adj. (also geodetic) 1 of or relating to geodesy. 2 of, involving, or consisting of a geodesic line. Phrases and idioms: geodesic dome a dome constructed of short struts along geodesic lines. geodesic line the shortest possible line between two… … Useful english dictionary
geodesic — /jee euh des ik, dee sik/, adj. 1. Also, geodesical. pertaining to the geometry of curved surfaces, in which geodesic lines take the place of the straight lines of plane geometry. n. 2. See geodesic line. [1815 25; < F géodésique. See GEODESY,… … Universalium
geodesic — ge•o•des•ic [[t]ˌdʒi əˈdɛs ɪk, ˈdi sɪk[/t]] adj. Also, ge o•des′i•cal 1) math. pertaining to the geometry of curved surfaces, in which geodesic lines take the place of the straight lines of plane geometry 2) pertaining to geodesy; geodetic 3)… … From formal English to slang
geodesic — /dʒioʊˈdɛsɪk/ (say jeeoh desik), / ˈdisɪk/ (say deesik) adjective Also, geodesical. 1. relating to the geometry of curved surfaces, in which geodesic lines take the place of the straight lines of plane geometry. –noun 2. a geodesic line …