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Curve vs. Arch

Curve and Arch Definitions

Curve

A line that deviates from straightness in a smooth, continuous fashion.

Arch

A usually curved structure forming the upper edge of an open space and supporting the weight above it, as in a bridge or doorway.

Curve

A surface that deviates from planarity in a smooth, continuous fashion.

Arch

A structure, such as a freestanding monument, shaped like an inverted U.

Curve

Something characterized by such a line or surface, especially a rounded line or contour of the human body.

Arch

A curve with the ends down and the middle up:the arch of a raised eyebrow.
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Curve

A relatively smooth bend in a road or other course.

Arch

(Anatomy)An organ or structure having a curved or bowlike appearance, especially either of two arched sections of the bony structure of the foot.

Curve

A line representing data on a graph.

Arch

To provide with an arch:arch a passageway.

Curve

A trend derived from or as if from such a graph
"Once again, the politicians are behind the curve" (Ted Kennedy).

Arch

To cause to form an arch or similar curve.
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Curve

A graphic representation showing the relative performance of individuals as measured against each other, used especially as a method of grading students in which the assignment of grades is based on predetermined proportions of students.

Arch

To bend backward:The dancers alternately arched and hunched their backs.

Curve

The graph of a function on a coordinate plane.

Arch

To span:"the rude bridge that arched the flood"(Ralph Waldo Emerson).

Curve

The intersection of two surfaces in three dimensions.

Arch

To form an arch or archlike curve:The high fly ball arched toward the stands.
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Curve

The graph of the solutions to any equation of two variables.

Arch

Chief; principal
Their arch foe.

Curve

(Baseball) A curve ball.

Arch

Mischievous; roguish
"She ... was arch enough to inform the queen whenever I committed any folly that she thought would be diverting to her majesty" (Jonathan Swift).

Curve

(Slang) Something that is unexpected or designed to trick or deceive.

Arch

Teasing, ironic, or sardonic
"I know, Edy Boardman said none too amiably with an arch glance from her shortsighted eyes. I know who is Tommy's sweetheart" (James Joyce).

Curve

To move in or take the shape of a curve
The path curves around the lake.

Arch

An inverted U shape.

Curve

To cause to curve.

Arch

An arch-shaped arrangement of trapezoidal stones, designed to redistribute downward force outward.

Curve

(Baseball) To pitch (a ball) with a curve.

Arch

(architecture) An architectural element having the shape of an arch

Curve

To grade (students, for example) on a curve.

Arch

Any place covered by an arch; an archway.
To pass into the arch of a bridge

Curve

(obsolete) Bent without angles; crooked; curved. Category:en:Curves
A curve line
A curve surface

Arch

An arc; a part of a curve.

Curve

A gentle bend, such as in a road.
You should slow down when approaching a curve.

Arch

A natural arch-shaped opening in a rock mass.

Curve

A simple figure containing no straight portions and no angles; a curved line.
She scribbled a curve on the paper.

Arch

(anatomy) Curved part of the bottom of a foot.

Curve

A grading system based on the scale of performance of a group used to normalize a right-skewed grade distribution (with more lower scores) into a bell curve, so that more can receive higher grades, regardless of their actual knowledge of the subject.
The teacher was nice and graded the test on a curve.

Arch

(obsolete) chief

Curve

(analytic geometry) A continuous map from a one-dimensional space to a multidimensional space.

Arch

To form into an arch shape.
The cat arched its back

Curve

(geometry) A one-dimensional figure of non-zero length; the graph of a continuous map from a one-dimensional space.

Arch

To cover with an arch or arches.

Curve

(algebraic geometry) An algebraic curve; a polynomial relation of the planar coordinates.

Arch

Knowing, clever, mischievous
I attempted to hide my emotions, but an arch remark escaped my lips.

Curve

(topology) A one-dimensional continuum.

Arch

Principal; primary
They were arch enemies.

Curve

The attractive shape of a woman's body.

Arch

Any part of a curved line.

Curve

(transitive) To bend; to crook.
To curve a line
To curve a pipe

Arch

Usually a curved member made up of separate wedge-shaped solids, with the joints between them disposed in the direction of the radii of the curve; used to support the wall or other weight above an opening. In this sense arches are segmental, round (i. e., semicircular), or pointed.

Curve

(transitive) To cause to swerve from a straight course.
To curve a ball in pitching it

Arch

Any place covered by an arch; an archway; as, to pass into the arch of a bridge.

Curve

(intransitive) To bend or turn gradually from a given direction.
The road curves to the right

Arch

Any curvature in the form of an arch; as, the arch of the aorta.

Curve

(transitive) To grade on a curve (bell curve of a normal distribution).
The teacher will curve the test.

Arch

A chief.
My worthy arch and patron comes to-night.

Curve

(transitive) (slang) To reject, to turn down romantic advances.
I was once curved three times by the same woman.

Arch

To cover with an arch or arches.

Curve

Bent without angles; crooked; curved; as, a curve line; a curve surface.

Arch

To form or bend into the shape of an arch.
The horse arched his neck.

Curve

A bending without angles; that which is bent; a flexure; as, a curve in a railway or canal.

Arch

To form into an arch; to curve.

Curve

A line described according to some low, and having no finite portion of it a straight line.

Arch

Chief; eminent; greatest; principal.
The most arch act of piteous massacre.

Curve

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.

Arch

Cunning or sly; sportively mischievous; roguish; as, an arch look, word, lad.
[He] spoke his request with so arch a leer.

Curve

To bend or turn gradually from a given direction; as, the road curves to the right.

Arch

A curved shape in the vertical plane that spans an opening

Curve

The trace of a point whose direction of motion changes

Arch

A curved bony structure supporting or enclosing organs (especially arches of the feet)

Curve

A line on a graph representing data

Arch

A passageway under an arch

Curve

A baseball thrown with spin so that its path curves as it approach the batter

Arch

(architecture) a masonry construction (usually curved) for spanning an opening and supporting the weight above it

Curve

The property possessed by the curving of a line or surface

Arch

Form an arch or curve;
Her back arches
Her hips curve nicely

Curve

Curved segment (of a road or river or railroad track etc.)

Arch

(of persons) highest in rank or authority or office;
His arch rival

Curve

Turn sharply; change direction abruptly;
The car cut to the left at the intersection
The motorbike veered to the right

Arch

(used of behavior or attitude) characteristic of those who treat others with condescension

Curve

Extend in curves and turns;
The road winds around the lake

Arch

Expert in skulduggery;
An arch criminal

Curve

Form an arch or curve;
Her back arches
Her hips curve nicely

Curve

Bend or cause to bend;
He crooked his index finger
The road curved sharply

Curve

Form a curl, curve, or kink;
The cigar smoke curled up at the ceiling

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