[1] : The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48

curvature \cur"vature\ k?r"v?-t?r; 135, n. l. curvatura. see
   curvate.
   1. the act of curving, or the state of being bent or curved;
      a curving or bending, normal or abnormal, as of a line or
      surface from a rectilinear direction; a bend; a curve.
      --cowper.
      1913 webster

            the elegant curvature of their fronds. --darwin.
      1913 webster

   2. math. the amount of degree of bending of a mathematical
      curve, or the tendency at any point to depart from a
      tangent drawn to the curve at that point.
      1913 webster

   aberrancy of curvature geom., the deviation of a curve
      from a circular form.

   absolute curvature. see under absolute.

   angle of curvature geom., one that expresses the amount
      of curvature of a curve.

   chord of curvature. see under chord.

   circle of curvature. see osculating circle of a curve,
      under circle.

   curvature of the spine med., an abnormal curving of the
      spine, especially in a lateral direction.

   radius of curvature, the radius of the circle of curvature,
      or osculatory circle, at any point of a curve.
      1913 webster
see also:
curvate aberrancy of curvature absolute curvature absolute angle of curvature chord of curvature 
chord circle of curvature osculating circle of a curve circle curvature of the spine 
radius of curvature 

[2] : The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48

chord \chord\ k^ord, n. l chorda a gut, a string made of a
   gut, gr. chordh`. in the sense of a string or small rope, in
   general, it is written cord. see cord.
   1. the string of a musical instrument. --milton.
      1913 webster

   2. mus. a combination of tones simultaneously performed,
      producing more or less perfect harmony, as, the common
      chord.
      1913 webster

   3. geom. a right line uniting the extremities of the arc of
      a circle or curve.
      1913 webster

   4. anat. a cord. see cord, n., 4.
      1913 webster

   5. engin. the upper or lower part of a truss, usually
      horizontal, resisting compression or tension. --waddell.
      1913 webster

   accidental, common,  vocal chords. see under
      accidental, common, and vocal.

   chord of an arch. see illust. of arch.

   chord of curvature, a chord drawn from any point of a
      curve, in the circle of curvature for that point.

   scale of chords. see scale.
      1913 webster
see also:
cord accidental, common,  vocal chords accidental common vocal 
chord of an arch arch chord of curvature scale of chords scale 

Chord >> C Words
Chord, definition of term: Chord
chord_pag1.html

Curvature >> C Words
Curvature, definition of term: Curvature
curvature_pag1.html

Dominant Chord >> D Words
Dominant Chord, definition of term: Dominant Chord
dominant+chord_pag1.html