hyperbola
/haɪˈpɚ.bə.lə/ noun
Forms hyperbolas hyperbolae hyperbolæ
- noun (geometry) A conic section formed by the intersection of a cone with a plane that intersects the base of the cone and is not tangent to the cone. The function y(x) = 1/x draws a hyperbola.
Etymology
From New Latin hyperbola, from Ancient Greek ὑπερβολή (huperbolḗ). Doublet of hyperbole.
Webster’s 1913
- noun A curve formed by a section of a cone, when the cutting plane makes a greater angle with the base than the side of the cone makes.
Etymology [Gr. i. e., of the angle which the cutting plane makes with the base. See Hyperbole.]
Sources: Wiktionary · Webster’s 1913 — from the Wiktionary entry “hyperbola”, CC BY-SA 4.0. Details