curtate

[ kur-teyt ]

adjective

1. having been shortened; reduced; abbreviated.

curtate

/ ˈkɜːteɪt /

adjective

1. shortened

Word History and Origins

Origin of curtate¹

First recorded in 1670–80; from Latin curtātus, past participle of curtāre “to shorten,” derivative of curtus “short, shortened”; curt, -ate ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of curtate¹

C17: from Late Latin curtāre to shorten, from Latin curtus cut short; see curt

Example Sentences

The name cycloid is now restricted to the curve described when the tracing-point is on the circumference of the circle; if the point is either within or without the circle the curves are generally termed trochoids, but they are also known as the prolate and curtate cycloids respectively.

From Project Gutenberg

An annuity is usually held payable to the end of each year survived; but when, in addition, a proportion of the year's annuity is payable up to the day of death, the annuity is said to be Complete—the ordinary annuity being sometimes, for distinction, referred to as a Curtate annuity.

From Project Gutenberg

Dr. Wollaston had made a drawing of the orbit and its elements; but, having left it in town, he described the lines so accurately without naming them, that I remarked at once, "That is the curtate or perihelion distance," which pleased him greatly, as it showed how accurate his description was.

From Project Gutenberg

But if you mark a point B on the circumference of the flange of a locomotive-wheel, the curve will be a curtate cycloid, as in Fig.

From Project Gutenberg

A.--When the wheel of a coach rolls along the ground, any point of its periphery describes in the air a curve which is termed a cycloid; any point within the periphery traces a prolate or protracted cycloid, and any point exterior to the periphery traces a curtate or contracted cycloid--the prolate cycloid partaking more of the nature of a straight line, and the curtate cycloid more of the nature of a circle.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• abbreviated
• brief
• crisp
• precise
• shortened
• terse