What does "cycloid" mean?
Cycloid: A curve generated by a point in the plane of a circle when the circle is rolled along a straight line, keeping always in the same plane. Note: The common cycloid is the curve described when the generating point (p) is on the circumference of the generating circle; the curtate cycloid, when that point lies without the circumference; the prolate or inflected cycloid, when the generating point (p) lies within that circumference.
Additional senses
- 2.Of or pertaining to the Cycloidei. Cycloid scale (Zoöl.), a fish scale which is thin and shows concentric lines of growth, without serrations on the margin.
- 3.One of the Cycloidei.
Sources
- Webster's Unabridged Dictionary, 1913 edition (public domain, via GCIDE / Project Gutenberg).
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- Published: 2026-07-17T00:00:00-07:00 · Modified: 2026-07-17T00:00:00-07:00