osculating circle

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Definitions from WordNet

Noun osculating circle has 1 sense

circle of curvature, osculating circle - the circle that touches a curve (on the concave side) and whose radius is the radius of curvature
--₁ is a kind of circle

Definitions from the Web

Osculating Circle

Definition: The osculating circle is the circle that best approximates a given curve at a specific point. It is the circle that matches both the position and curvature of the curve at that point.

Example Sentences:

The mathematician illustrated the concept of the osculating circle by placing a circle tangent to the curve at various points.
When analyzing the motion of a planet, scientists often use the concept of the osculating circle to determine its instantaneous state.
The engineer used the osculating circle as a reference to design the curved track, ensuring a smooth transition for the roller coaster.
In geometry, the osculating circle is a valuable tool to study the behavior of curves and their properties.