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Glite Dictionary
prolate cycloid

prolate cycloid

9.9
A curved path made by a point outside a rolling circle
  • noun
  • /ˈproʊleɪt ˈsaɪkloɪd/
  • Specialized
translation icon : ciclóide prolata
  • When the tracing point is set outside the rolling circle's circumference, the resulting curve is a prolate cycloid.

Examples

  • Mathematicians study the properties of the prolate cycloid to understand its unique geometric features.

  • A prolate cycloid forms unique patterns.

  • The path traced by the tip of a spoke on a rolling bicycle wheel is a prolate cycloid.

  • The prolate cycloid is fascinating.

  • Mathematicians study the properties of the prolate cycloid to understand its unique geometric features.

  • The path traced by the tip of a spoke on a rolling bicycle wheel is a prolate cycloid.

  • When the tracing point is set outside the rolling circle's circumference, the resulting curve is a prolate cycloid.

Surface Forms

prolate cycloid singular
prolate cycloids plural

Morphology

prolate + cycloid

The adjective 'prolate' (oval, elongated) directly modifies 'cycloid' (a curve traced by a rolling circle), so a learner who knows both words can infer this refers to an elongated or oval-shaped cycloid. However, the precise technical sense (generated by a point outside the circle) is specialist mathematical knowledge beyond everyday composition, so the meaning is only partially predictable to a B1 learner.

Etymology

The noun prolate cycloid comes from the picture of a wheel rolling while a point set outside the wheel's edge traces a path. The word prolate suggests a 'stretched' or longer shape and cycloid means a curve made by a rolling wheel, so the name means the curve traced by a point 'outside the wheel'.