curvature Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun (medicine) a curving or bending; often abnormal
    • curvature of the spine
  2. noun the rate of change (at a point) of the angle between a curve and a tangent to the curve
  3. noun the property possessed by the curving of a line or surface
    curve.

WordNet

Cur"va*ture noun
Etymology
L. curvatura. See Curvate.
Definitions
  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.
    The elegant curvature of their fronds. Darwin.
  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.

Webster 1913