French curve

or french curve

noun

1. a flat drafting instrument, usually consisting of a sheet of clear plastic, the edges of which are cut into several scroll-like curves enabling a draftsperson to draw lines of varying curvature.

French curve

noun

1. a thin plastic sheet with profiles of several curves, used by draughtsmen for drawing curves

Word History and Origins

Origin of French curve¹

First recorded in 1880–85

Example Sentences

As she hands out mini French curve templates she's made out of paper, Freitas swipes down on his cellphone screen with his thumb.

From Los Angeles Times

We had to use a French curve, a kind of plastic rule in different shapes that gave you a smooth curve when you plotted data on a graph.”

From Washington Times

Here is a lingering devotion to the French curve, chimney caps, arching window lintels and rectangular bays.

From Seattle Times

Five pieces of white vellum were tacked neatly to a whiteboard on the wall; swooping arcs made with pen, Wite-Out, scissors, and a French curve—biomorphs, as Heizer called them, which inspired the shapes of some of his canvases.

From The New Yorker

Peterson uses “freehand shields,” similar to a french curve, to paint hard, clean lines.

From Washington Times