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Glite Dictionary
ruled surface

ruled surface

9.9
A shape formed when a straight line moves through space
  • noun
  • /ruːld ˈsɜːrfɪs/
  • Specialized
translation icon : superficie reglada
  • The architect designed a model that showcased the beauty of a ruled surface in its structure.

Examples

  • The artist used a ruled surface to create an intricate pattern that followed the lines precisely.

  • In geometry, a ruled surface is essential in understanding how curves can form complex shapes.

  • This ruled surface is not developable and all there gives the exact condition for a ruled surface to be developable.

Surface Forms

ruled surface singular
ruled surfaces plural

Morphology

rule + surface

The adjective 'ruled' connects to the idea of drawing straight/parallel lines, and combined with 'surface' a learner can infer a surface related to straight lines (e.g., one that is in some way 'made of' or 'contains' lines). However, the precise mathematical property (a straight line through every point lies entirely in the surface) is a specialized, technical extension not fully predictable from everyday meanings, so the MWE is only partially transparent to a B1 learner.

Etymology

The noun ruled surface comes from the idea of a rule, a straight edge or 'ruler' that draws straight lines. Imagine sliding a straight ruler through space so each position makes a straight line on the shape; those lines 'rule' the shape, so a ruled surface is a surface made of straight lines even when it looks curved.