rhumb

Thân thiện

A ship follows a rhumb line across the ocean.

Definition

Noun: 1. A line of constant compass direction: A rhumb line is a path on the surface of the Earth (or a sphere) that crosses all meridians of longitude at the same angle. It represents the course followed by a ship or aircraft that maintains a single, unchanging compass bearing.

Usage

The term "rhumb" is almost exclusively used in the compound form "rhumb line" within the specialized contexts of navigation, cartography, and geometry. * In navigation, following a rhumb line is simpler for planning and steering than following a great circle, as it requires no constant change of course. * On a Mercator projection map, a rhumb line appears as a straight line, which is why this map projection is particularly useful for marine navigation.

Examples

• Noun:
  • The navigator plotted a rhumb line from Lisbon to the Caribbean.
  • Sailing a constant rhumb requires less frequent adjustment of the helm.
  • On this chart, our intended course is represented by a straight rhumb line.

Advanced Usage

• Rhumb sailing: The practice of navigating along a rhumb line.
• The concept is contrasted with great-circle navigation, where the shortest path between two points on a sphere is followed, requiring a continuously changing course.

Variants and Related Words

• Rhumb line (n): The full and most common term for the concept.
• Loxodrome (n): A technical synonym used in mathematics and cartography for a rhumb line.
• Rhumb-line (adj): Used attributively, e.g., .

Synonyms

• Loxodrome (technical)
• Constant-bearing course

Antonyms / Contrasting Concepts

• Great circle: The shortest path between two points on a sphere, which appears as an arc on a Mercator projection.
• Orthodrome: Another term for a great circle route.

Học thuật

Noun

1. a line on a sphere that cuts all meridians at the same angle; the path taken by a ship or plane that maintains a constant compass direction

Từ đồng nghĩa

• rhumb line
• loxodrome