curve Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun the trace of a point whose direction of motion changes
    curved shape.
  2. noun a line on a graph representing data
  3. noun a pitch of a baseball that is thrown with spin so that its path curves as it approaches the batter
    curve ball; breaking ball; bender.
  4. noun the property possessed by the curving of a line or surface
    curvature.
  5. noun curved segment (of a road or river or railroad track etc.)
    bend.
  6. verb turn sharply; change direction abruptly
    swerve; cut; veer; trend; sheer; slew; slue.
    • The car cut to the left at the intersection
    • The motorbike veered to the right
  7. verb extend in curves and turns
    twist; wind.
    • The road winds around the lake
    • the path twisted through the forest
  8. verb form an arch or curve
    arc; arch.
    • her back arches
    • her hips curve nicely
  9. verb bend or cause to bend
    crook.
    • He crooked his index finger
    • the road curved sharply
  10. verb form a curl, curve, or kink
    curl; kink.
    • the cigar smoke curled up at the ceiling

WordNet

Curve adjective
Etymology
L. curvus bent, curved. See Cirb.
Definitions
  1. Bent without angles; crooked; curved; as, a curve line; a curve surface.
Curve noun
Etymology
See Curve, a., Cirb.
Definitions
  1. A bending without angles; that wcich is bent; a flexure; as, a curve in a railway or canal.
  2. (Geom.) A line described according to some low, and having no finite portion of it a straight line.
Curve transitive verb
Etymology
L. curvare., fr. curvus. See Curve, a., Curb.
Wordforms
imperfect & past participle Curved present participle & verbal noun Curving
Definitions
  1. To bend; to crook; as, to curve a line; to curve a pipe; to cause to swerve from a straight course; as, to curve a ball in pitching it.
Curve intransitive verb
Definitions
  1. To bend or turn gradually from a given direction; as, the road curves to the right.

Webster 1913