spherical triangle
- noun
- /ˈsfɪrɪkəl ˈtraɪæŋɡəl/
- Specialized
:
triángulo esférico
- Navigators often use concepts from spherical triangles to plot courses on the Earth's curved surface.
Examples
-
In geometry class, we learned about a spherical triangle formed by three great circles on the surface of a globe.
-
Let's look at number one for a right spherical triangle ABC.
-
In a spherical triangle there is a similar sort of constraint.
-
To calculate the angles in a spherical triangle, you must know the lengths of all three sides.
Surface Forms
Morphology
The meaning is compositionally derived from 'spherical' (having the form of a sphere) + 'triangle' (a three-sided figure), so a B1 learner who knows both words can infer it refers to a triangle on a sphere's surface. While the precise geometric details (great-circle arcs, non-planar sides) are technical, the basic concept is directly predictable and cross-linguistically transparent.
Etymology
Spherical triangle joins spherical, meaning 'like a globe', and triangle, meaning 'a shape with three sides'. It is a triangle drawn 'on a sphere' so its sides are curved lines that follow the round surface, and that is why people use it to measure positions on the globe or in the sky.
