Found 2 items, similar to conic section.
English → English (WordNet) Definition: conic section conic section n : (geometry) a curve generated by the intersection of a plane and a circular cone [syn: conic]
English → English (gcide) Definition: Conic section Conic \Con"ic\, Conical \Con"ic*al\, a. [Gr. ?: cf. F. conique. See Cone.] 1. Having the form of, or resembling, a geometrical cone; round and tapering to a point, or gradually lessening in circumference; as, a conic or conical figure; a conical vessel. [1913 Webster] 2. Of or pertaining to a cone; as, conic sections. [1913 Webster] Conic section (Geom.), a curved line formed by the intersection of the surface of a right cone and a plane. The conic sections are the parabola, ellipse, and hyperbola. The right lines and the circle which result from certain positions of the plane are sometimes, though not generally included. Conic sections, that branch of geometry which treats of the parabola, ellipse, and hyperbola. Conical pendulum. See Pendulum. Conical projection, a method of delineating the surface of a sphere upon a plane surface as if projected upon the surface of a cone; -- much used by makers of maps in Europe. Conical surface (Geom.), a surface described by a right line moving along any curve and always passing through a fixed point that is not in the plane of that curve. [1913 Webster]