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Noun: curvature  kur-vu-chu(r) or 'kur-vu,tyu(r)
  1. The property possessed by a non-straight line or non-flat surface
    "The curvature of the Earth is not noticeable at ground level";
    - curve
     
  2. The rate of change (at a point) of the angle between a curve and a tangent to the curve
    "The curvature of the road increased sharply around the bend"
     
  3. (medicine) a curving or bending; often abnormal
    "curvature of the spine"

Derived forms: curvatures

Type of: condition, configuration, conformation, contour, derivative, derived function, differential, differential coefficient, first derivative, form, shape, status

Encyclopedia: Curvature