sigmoid
/ˈsɪɡ.mɔɪd/ adjective
Forms sigmoids
- adjective (archaic) Semi-circular, like the uncial or lunate sigma (similar to English C).
- adjective Curved in two directions, like the letter "S", or the Greek ς (sigma); having a serpentine shape.
- adjective (mathematics) Exhibiting logistic growth; having a graph that accelerates until it reaches a carrying capacity.
- adjective (anatomy) Relating to the sigmoid colon.
Synonyms
Etymology
Borrowing from Ancient Greek σῑγμοειδής (sīgmoeidḗs, “of the shape of sigma”), from σῖγμᾰ (sîgmă, “sigma”) + -ο- (-o-) + -ειδής (-eidḗs, “-oid, -like”); Equivalent to sigma + -oid. Compare with French sigmoïde.
Webster’s 1913
- adjective Curved in two directions, like the letter S, or the Greek s. Sigmoid flexure (Anat.), the last curve of the colon before it terminates in the rectum. See Illust. under Digestive.
Etymology [Gr. sigmoïde.]
Sources: Wiktionary · Webster’s 1913 — from the Wiktionary entry “sigmoid”, CC BY-SA 4.0. Details