'Conic section' definitions:
Definition of 'conic section'
(from WordNet)
noun
(geometry) a curve generated by the intersection of a plane and a circular cone [syn: conic section, conic]
Definition of 'Conic section'
From: GCIDE
- Conic \Con"ic\, Conical \Con"ic*al\, a. [Gr. ?: cf. F. conique. See Cone.]
- 1. Having the form of, or resembling, a geometrical cone; round and tapering to a point, or gradually lessening in circumference; as, a conic or conical figure; a conical vessel. [1913 Webster]
- 2. Of or pertaining to a cone; as, conic sections. [1913 Webster]
- Conic section (Geom.), a curved line formed by the intersection of the surface of a right cone and a plane. The conic sections are the parabola, ellipse, and hyperbola. The right lines and the circle which result from certain positions of the plane are sometimes, though not generally included.
- Conic sections, that branch of geometry which treats of the parabola, ellipse, and hyperbola.
- Conical pendulum. See Pendulum.
- Conical projection, a method of delineating the surface of a sphere upon a plane surface as if projected upon the surface of a cone; -- much used by makers of maps in Europe.
- Conical surface (Geom.), a surface described by a right line moving along any curve and always passing through a fixed point that is not in the plane of that curve. [1913 Webster]