non-Euclidean geometry
- noun
- /nɒn juːˈklɪdiən dʒiˈɒmətri/
- Specialized
:
geometría no euclidiana
- Understanding non-Euclidean geometry opens up new possibilities for studying the shape of the universe.
Examples
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Answering such a question led to the development of non-Euclidean geometry.
Academic text (2003) -
Non-Euclidean geometry allows for parallel lines to diverge in ways that defy classical understanding.
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So last time we were talking about non Euclidean geometry in a serious way.
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Many artists have been inspired by non-Euclidean geometry to create works that challenge traditional perspectives.
Surface Forms
Morphology
non-Euclidean + geometry
The prefix 'non-' simply negates 'Euclidean', and combined with 'geometry' this yields 'geometry that is not Euclidean' — a meaning directly derivable from the constituents. This is a regular compositional negation pattern found cross-linguistically, so a B1 learner who knows the parts can infer the basic sense even if the technical implications require more mathematical background.
Etymology
Non-Euclidean geometry literally combines non (meaning 'not') and Euclidean (after the old mathematician Euclid); imagine drawing shapes on a ball or a saddle instead of flat paper, so straight lines and triangles behave differently. That's why non-Euclidean geometry means the study of spaces that do not follow Euclid's flat-paper rules, where, for example, a triangle's angles may not add up to 180 degrees.
