ˈkərvəˌchu̇(ə)r, -ə̄v-, -əiv-, -u̇ə sometimes -və.ˌtyu̇- noun
( -s )
Etymology: Latin curvatura, from curvatus + -ura -ure
1.
a. : curve : curved part
b. : the act of curving or the state of being curved
2. of a plane curve : the rate of change per unit of arc length of the angle through which the tangent turns in rolling round from point to point of the curve
3.
a. : an abnormal curving
curvature of the spine
— see kyphosis , scoliosis
b. : a curved surface of an organ
the lesser curvature of the stomach