spline

[ splahyn ]

noun

1. a long, narrow, thin strip of wood, metal, etc.; slat.
2. a long, flexible strip of wood or the like, used in drawing curves.
3. Machinery.
   1. any of a series of uniformly spaced ridges on a shaft, parallel to its axis and fitting inside corresponding grooves in the hub of a gear, etc., to transmit torque.
   2. feather key.
4. Building Trades. a thin strip of material inserted into the edges of two boards, acoustic tiles, etc., to make a butt joint between them; a feather.
5. Mathematics, Engineering. a function that has specified values at a finite number of points and consists of segments of polynomial functions joined smoothly at these points, enabling it to be used for approximation and interpolation of functions.

verb (used with object)

, Machinery.

, splined, splin·ing.

1. to provide with a spline or key.
2. to provide with a keyway.

spline

/ splaɪn /

noun

1. any one of a series of narrow keys ( external splines ) formed longitudinally around the circumference of a shaft that fit into corresponding grooves ( internal splines ) in a mating part: used to prevent movement between two parts, esp in transmitting torque
2. a long narrow strip of wood, metal, etc; slat
3. a thin narrow strip made of wood, metal, or plastic fitted into a groove in the edge of a board, tile, etc, to connect it to another

verb

1. tr to provide (a shaft, part, etc) with splines

Word History and Origins

Origin of spline¹

First recorded in 1750–60; originally East Anglian dialect ; perhaps akin to splint; compare Old English splin “spindle”

Word History and Origins

Origin of spline¹

C18: East Anglian dialect; perhaps related to Old English splin spindle; see splint

Example Sentences

To hold the cane webbing in place, add wood glue and a reed spline — a continuous strip of material that fills the gap.

From Seattle Times

In plumbing lingo, these ridges are called splines or points.

From Washington Post

Find the end of the spline and pry it up with a screwdriver or utility knife, then pull the rest of the spline out of the frame to release the old screen.

From Seattle Times

Wolk begins by cutting the screen about one inch oversize on all edges and the spline into four pieces in the exact lengths.

From Washington Post

Perhaps she is doing this in preparation for cutting another feature on the gear, such as a keyway or spline.

From Washington Post