haversine

[ hav-er-sahyn ]

noun

, Trigonometry.

1. one half the versed sine of a given angle or arc.

haversine

/ ˈhævəˌsaɪn /

noun

1. obsolete.
   half the value of the versed sine

Word History and Origins

Origin of haversine¹

First recorded in 1870–75; ha(lf) + ver(sed) + sine ( def )

Word History and Origins

Origin of haversine¹

C19: combination of half + versed + sine ¹

Example Sentences

Versine and haversine were used the most often.

From Scientific American

The haversine formula could yield accurate results without requiring the computationally expensive operations of squares and square roots.

From Scientific American

Now that computers are so powerful, the haversine has gone the way of the floppy disc.

From Scientific American

Another advantage to the versine and haversine is that they can keep you from having to square something.

From Scientific American

But the haversine may have been more important in more recent history, when it was used in navigation.

From Scientific American