[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 

Spine >> S Words
Spine, definition of term: Spine
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Curvature >> C Words
Curvature, definition of term: Curvature
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