osculating plane

American  

noun

Mathematics.

1. the plane containing the circle of curvature of a point on a given curve.

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Etymology

Origin of osculating plane

First recorded in 1860–65

Example Sentences

Lat, the plane determined by the vectors T and N forms the osculating plane of C at any point P on the curve.

From Textbooks • Mar. 30, 2016

Suppose we form a circle in the osculating plane of C at point P on the curve.

From Textbooks • Mar. 30, 2016

The position and velocity being given in all three co-ordinates, a certain osculating plane is determined for each instant in which the planet is moving at that instant.

From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 2, Slice 7 "Arundel, Thomas" to "Athens" by Various

The flexural couples reduce to a single couple in the osculating plane proportional to the curvature when the two flexural rigidities are equal, and in this case only.

From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 9, Slice 2 "Ehud" to "Electroscope" by Various

It cuts the osculating plane in a circle, called the circle of absolute curvature; and the centre and radius of this circle are the centre and radius of absolute curvature.

From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 11, Slice 6 "Geodesy" to "Geometry" by Various