geometric

English

Etymology

From Latin geōmetricus, from Ancient Greek γεωμετρικός (geōmetrikós), from γεωμέτρης (geōmétrēs).

Pronunciation

• (UK) IPA^(key): /ˌd͡ʒiː.əʊˈmɛt.ɹɪk/, /ˌd͡ʒiː.əˈmɛt.ɹɪk/

  • Audio (Southern England)

    (file)

• (US) IPA^(key): /ˌd͡ʒi.oʊˈmɛt.ɹɪk/, /ˌd͡ʒi.əˈmɛt.ɹɪk/
• (General Australian) IPA^(key): /ˌd͡ʒiː.əˈmet.ɹɪk/

• Audio (US)

  (file)

Adjective

geometric (comparative more geometric, superlative most geometric)

1. Of or relating to geometry.

   The architect used geometric techniques to design her home.

   • 1662, [Samuel Butler], “”, in Hudibras. The First and Second Parts. , London: John Martyn and Henry Herringman, , published 1678, →OCLC; republished in A[lfred] R[ayney] Waller, editor, Hudibras: Written in the Time of the Late Wars, Cambridge: University Press, 1905, →OCLC, page 6:

     In Mathematicks he was greater / Than Tycho Brahe, or Erra Pater : / For he, by Geometrick scale, / Could take the size of Pots of Ale ; / Resolve by Signs and Tangents streight, / If Bread or Butter wanted weight; / And wisely tell what hour o’th’ day / The Clock doth strike, by Algebra.

   • 1990, Stamos Metzidakis, “The Utopian Vision of French Criticism”, in Symposium: A Quarterly Journal in Modern Literatures, volume 44, number 3, →DOI, page 195:

     This does not mean that the French, works, composed by rational minds (de l’esprit) are totally devoid of any value or cultural significance. But Madame de Staël obviously prefers what she considers to be the imaginative workings of the German mind to the geometric and analytical penchants of the French mind.

2. Increasing or decreasing in a geometric progression.

   Bacteria exhibit geometric increase in numbers when the environment is not limiting.

   • 1990 April 21, Flora Lewis, “Tide Reaching Africa”, in The New York Times, page 23:

     The men around the table were by no means dissidents, but neither can they turn their countries around on their own. Of course, the vast problems in Africa cannot be solved by African policies alone. Poverty breeds poverty by geometric progression.

3. Using simple shapes such as circles, triangles, and lines in a decorative object.

   The building's profile was strikingly geometric.

   • 2022 March 23, Stefanie Foster, “Updated designs unveiled for HS2's Euston Station”, in RAIL, number 953, page 22:

     A bold geometric roof design is planned to allow natural light to flood onto the station concourse.

Synonyms

• (of or relating to geometry): geometrical
• (using simple shapes): geometrical

Derived terms

Related terms

• geometer
• geometrical
• geometrically
• geometry

Translations

Occitan

Etymology

(This etymology is missing or incomplete. Please add to it, or discuss it at the Etymology scriptorium.)

Pronunciation

This entry needs pronunciation information. If you are familiar with the IPA then please add some!

Adjective

geometric m (feminine singular geometrica, masculine plural geometrics, feminine plural geometricas)

1. geometric

Further reading

• Diccionari General de la Lenga Occitana, L’Academia occitana – Consistòri del Gai Saber, 2008-2024, page 348.

Romanian

Etymology

Borrowed from French géométrique, from Latin geometricus.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /ˌd͡ʒe.oˈme.trik/

Adjective

geometric m or n (feminine singular geometrică, masculine plural geometrici, feminine and neuter plural geometrice)

1. geometric

Declension

Further reading

• geometric in DEX online—Dicționare ale limbii române (Dictionaries of the Romanian language)