Paracentrical

1 definition found

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

  paracentric \par`a*cen"tric\ (p[a^]r`[.a]*s[e^]n"tr[i^]k),
  paracentrical \par`a*cen"tric*al\
     (p[a^]r`[.a]*s[e^]n"tr[i^]*kal), a. [Pref. para- + centric,
     -ical: cf. F. paracentrique.]
     Deviating from circularity; changing the distance from a
     center.


     [1913 Webster]
  
     {Paracentric curve} (Math.), a curve having the property
        that, when its plane is placed vertically, a body
        descending along it, by the force of gravity, will
        approach to, or recede from, a fixed point or center, by
        equal distances in equal times; -- called also a
        {paracentric}.
  
     {Paracentric motion} or {Paracentric velocity}, the motion or
        velocity of a revolving body, such as a planet, by which
        it approaches to, or recedes from, the center, without
        reference to its motion in space, or to its motion as
        reckoned in any other direction.
        [1913 Webster]