orthodromen.
/ˈɔːθə(ʊ)drəʊm/, U.S. /ˈɔrθoʊˌdroʊm/ A great circle, or a route forming part of one. Contrasted with loxodrome.
ΘΚΠ
the world > relative properties > number > geometry > shape or figure > [noun] > two-dimensional > closed curve > circle > on a sphere
great circle?1530
great circle1594
secondary circle1704
secondary1715
orthodrome1855
separator1869
1855 J. Pryde Treat. Pract. Math. 455 The arc of a great circle, which is the shortest distance between two places, is called the orthodrome.
1900 Science 2 Feb. 185/1 Sailing by the orthodrome is preferable to sailing by the loxodrome, and..the polyconic gives the orthodrome in a more nearly straight line than the Mercator.
1935 Geogr. Jrnl. 85 466 The equation of the orthodrome (geodesic line).
1956 McGraw-Hill Yearbk. Sci. & Technol. VI. 267/2 The longer the distance, the greater the deviation between loxodromes and orthodromes.
2001 Science (Nexis) 12 Jan. 300 An important feature of this migration system is the fact that the resulting sun compass routes conform closely to distance-saving orthodromes.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, September 2004; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
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