Dictionary

great circle en · NOUN

Meanings

1. A circle defined as the intersection of the surface of a sphere and a plane which passes through the centre of the sphere.
2. A segment of such circle representing the shortest distance between two points on the surface of a sphere.
   • Because the Earth's surface is curved, the shortest distance is actually a curve over the surface called a great circle. 2005, Phil Medina, Homework Helpers: Earth Science, page 52:
   • The shortest distance between two points on an ocean Mercator chart is not a straight line - it is a curve known as a 'great circle'. 2003, Jeff Toghill, The Navigator's Handbook: Essential Methods and Equipment--and how to Use Them:
   • Wherever a navigator may be, it certainly would be to his advantage to be able to find the great circle, or shortest course, and the distance, to his port of destination, [....] 1902, S. L. Penfield, “Use of the Stereographic Projection for Geographical Maps and Sailing Charts”, in American Journal of Science:

Forms

Deriveds

great circle route

Hyponyms

vertical circle

Relateds

small circle

Synonyms

great-circle arc

Translations (19)

pl koło wielkie (shortest distance) · nn storsirkel (circle) · ja 大円 (circle) · la circulus maior (circle) · sv storcirkel (circle) · de Großkreis (circle) · ga mórchiorcal (circle) · fi isoympyrä (circle) · pl koło wielkie (circle) · fi isoympyräreitti (shortest distance) · fr grand cercle (circle) · nn storsirkel (shortest distance) · hu főkör (circle) · lb Grousskrees (circle) · eo ĉefcirklo (circle) · cmn 大圆 (circle) · nb storsirkel (circle) · ja 大圏 (circle) · nb storsirkel (shortest distance)