evolute

noun

evo·​lute ˈe-və-ˌlüt How to pronounce evolute (audio)
 also  ˈē-və-
: the locus of the center of curvature or the envelope of the normals of a curve

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from New Latin ēvolūta (short for līnea ēvolūta, literally, "unrolled line"), noun derivative from feminine of Latin ēvolūtus, past participle of ēvolvere "to roll out or away, unwind, unroll" — more at evolve

Note: The New Latin term was introduced by Christian huygens in Horologium oscillatorium (Paris, 1673), p. 60.

First Known Use

1704, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of evolute was in 1704

Dictionary Entries Near evolute

evokes/invites comparison with

evolute

evolution

See More Nearby Entries 

Cite this Entry

“Evolute.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/evolute. Accessed 28 Nov. 2024.

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