topology

American  

[tuh-pol-uh-jee] / təˈpɒl ə dʒi /

Rarely analysis situs

noun

Mathematics.

plural

topologies

1. the study of those properties of geometric forms that remain invariant under certain transformations, as bending or stretching.

2. Also called point set topology.  the study of limits in sets considered as collections of points.

3. a collection of open sets making a given set a topological space.

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topology British  

/ ˌtɒpəˈlɒdʒɪk, təˈpɒlədʒɪ /

noun

1. the branch of mathematics concerned with generalization of the concepts of continuity, limit, etc

2. Former name: analysis situs.  a branch of geometry describing the properties of a figure that are unaffected by continuous distortion, such as stretching or knotting

3. maths a family of subsets of a given set S, such that S is a topological space

4. the arrangement and interlinking of computers in a computer network

5. the study of the topography of a given place, esp as far as it reflects its history

6. the anatomy of any specific bodily area, structure, or part

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topology Scientific  

/ tə-pŏl′ə-jē /

1. The mathematical study of the geometric properties that are not normally affected by changes in the size or shape of geometric figures. In topology, a donut and a coffee cup with a handle are equivalent shapes, because each has a single hole.

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Other Word Forms

• topologic adjective
• topological adjective
• topologically adverb
• topologist noun

Etymology

Origin of topology

First recorded in 1650–60; topo- + -logy

Related Words

• earth science
• geology
• geopolitics
• topography