SINUOSITY Meaning and
Definition
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Sinuosity refers to the quality or characteristic of being sinuous, which is a term describing something that is full of curves, waves, or bends. Generally related to physical entities such as roads, rivers, or paths, sinuosity quantifies the extent of their winding nature. It is a measure of how much a particular line deviates from a straight line, expressing the degree of its curviness. Sinuosity is commonly observed in natural landscapes and fluid systems, being influenced by various factors such as geological processes, topography, erosion, or water flow.
In a more abstract sense, sinuosity can be used metaphorically to describe the winding nature of thoughts, ideas, or arguments. It illustrates the complexity and non-linearity of these concepts, often indicating a convoluted or intricate train of thought.
Sinuosity is quantified by means of a ratio between the actual length of a line and the straight-line distance between its endpoints. A higher ratio implies a greater degree of curvature or winding, while a ratio of one indicates a straight line. This concept is extensively used in fields such as geography, hydrology, fluid dynamics, and transportation engineering, where understanding and measuring the sinuosity of natural or constructed structures is crucial for design, analysis, and assessment purposes.
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The quality of winding in and out; a series of bends and turns.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
Common Misspellings for SINUOSITY
Etymology of SINUOSITY
The word "sinuosity" is derived from the Latin word "sinuosus", which means "full of turns or bends". It is formed from the Latin noun "sinus", meaning "curve" or "bend". In English, "sinuosity" refers to the quality or state of being sinuous, or having many curves or bends.
Similar spelling words for SINUOSITY
