concave

[ adjective verb kon-keyv, kon-keyv; noun kon-keyv ]

adjective

1. curved like a segment of the interior of a circle or hollow sphere; hollow and curved. Compare convex ( def 1 ).
2. Geometry. (of a polygon) having at least one interior angle greater than 180°.
3. Obsolete. hollow.

noun

1. a concave surface, part, line, or thing.
2. Machinery. a concave piece, as one against which a drum rotates.

verb (used with object)

, con·caved, con·cav·ing.

1. to make concave.

concave

/ ˈkɒnkeɪv; kɒnˈkeɪv /

adjective

1. curving inwards
2. physics having one or two surfaces curved or ground in the shape of a section of the interior of a sphere, paraboloid, etc

   a concave lens

3. maths (of a polygon) containing an interior angle greater than 180°
4. an obsolete word for hollow

verb

1. tr to make concave

concave

/ kŏn′kāv′ /

1. Curved inward, like the inside of a circle or sphere.

Derived Forms

• ˈconcavely, adverb
• ˈconcaveness, noun

Other Words From

• con·cavely adverb
• con·caveness noun
• subcon·cave adjective
• subcon·cavely adverb
• subcon·caveness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of concave¹

1375–1425; late Middle English (< Middle French ) < Latin concavus, hollow. See con-, cave

Word History and Origins

Origin of concave¹

C15: from Latin concavus arched, from cavus hollow

Example Sentences

Sagging milk-filled breasts must appear perky; the once-swollen abdomen is made concave.

From The Daily Beast

Ellis's patent boot studs to save the sole, and the Euknemida, or concave-convex fastening springs, are the latest novelties.

From Project Gutenberg

Lamb turned the paper over and winked at himself in the concave mirror of the semi-circle of bar.

From Project Gutenberg

The seat should slope downward a little toward the back, be slightly concave, and have rounded edges in front.

From Project Gutenberg

Of the two broader sides one was concave, the other convex; while of the narrower sides one was flat and the other indented.

From Project Gutenberg

His hair is long and black, and in his throat is a thick concave bone.

From Project Gutenberg