— brachistochronic /breuh kis'teuh kron"ik/ , brachistochronous /bray'keuh stok"reuh neuhs, brak'euh-/ , adj.
/breuh kis"teuh krohn'/ , n. Mech.
the curve between two points that in the shortest time by a body moving under an external force without friction; the curve of quickest descent.
[ 1765-75; bráchisto ( s ) shortest (superl. of brachýs BRACHY-) + chrónos time ]