evolute
/ˈiːvəl(j)uːt
/ /ˈɛvəl(j)uːt/noun (also evolute curve) Mathematics
A curve which is the locus of the centres of curvature of another curve (its involute).On 22 January 1769 Monge wrote to Bossut explaining that he was writing a work on the evolutes of curves of double curvature....
- He defines evolutes and involutes of curves and, after giving some elementary properties, finds the evolutes of the cycloid and of the parabola.
- Hence a curve has a unique evolute but infinitely many involutes.
adjective Zoology & Botany
Rolled outwards at the edges: an evolute shell...
- The general shell characters are the evolute coiling and the median keel that is always higher than the lateral ones.
- The second lineage contained A. nitida, which became more involute and axially compressed on the umbilical side, and its first descendant, A. mckannai, which developed evolute coiling and a moderately wide umbilicus.
- It essentially separates early (higher scores) and later (lower scores) representatives of the species, which tended to develop evolute coiling through geologic time.
Origin
Mid 18th century: from Latin evolutus, past participle of evolvere 'roll out' (see evolve).