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catenary Definition

cat·enary (kat′ə ner′ē; chiefly Brit, kə tē′nər ē)

noun pl. -·nar′·ies

the curve made by a flexible, uniform chain or cord freely suspended between two fixed points

Etymology: L catenarius < catena, chain

adjective

designating or of such a curve

catenary Usage Examples

Adjective modifier

  • overhead: The overhead catenary is being revamped, with new wires going in around the depot building at the left hand side of the layout.

Modifies a noun

  • wire: However, in the course of the project, the company was also asked to fit the catenary wires in position.
  • curve: The site also demonstrates that a catenary curve is not quite the same as a parabola.
  • system: A practical reason for this option is the catenary support system.
  • arch: UK June August 1998 Built catenary arch wood fired salt kiln at Wysing Arts, Cambridgeshire.
  • cable: The catenary cables just sail on past the ends of the bridge into the mountainside above.
  • lighting: Courtesy of Terry Ogden Orange sodium catenary lighting illuminates the M62 passing through the M61 interchange.