curvilinearly
|cur-vi-lin-ear-ly|
🇺🇸
/ˌkɝːvɪˈlɪniər/
🇬🇧
/ˌkɜːvɪˈlɪnɪə(r)/
(curvilinear)
made of curved lines
Etymology
'curvilinear' originates from Latin, specifically from 'curvus' meaning 'bent, curved' combined with 'linearis' from 'linea' meaning 'line'.
'curvilinear' was formed in English by combining the Latin-derived combining form 'curvi-' (from 'curvus') with 'linear' (from Latin 'linearis', from 'linea'), producing 'curvilinear'; the adverb 'curvilinearly' is formed by adding the adverbial suffix '-ly'.
Initially formed to describe shapes composed of curved lines ('curved' + 'linear'), the term has retained that core sense and is used in technical and general contexts to mean 'characterized by or following curved lines'; the adverb carries this sense into manner ('in a curved way').
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
noun form (curvilinearity): the quality or condition of being curvilinear; the presence of curved lines or trajectories.
The curvilinearity of the sculpture gives it a sense of motion.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Last updated: 2025/09/04 16:26