How Do You Spell GREAT CIRCLE?

Pronunciation: [ɡɹˈe͡ɪt sˈɜːkə͡l] (IPA)

Great circle is a term used in navigation and geography to refer to the largest circle that can be drawn on the surface of a sphere. The spelling of the word "great circle" can be explained using the International Phonetic Alphabet transcription, which is /ɡreɪt ˈsɜːkəl/ . In this transcription, the "g" sound is pronounced like the "g" in "go", the "a" sound is pronounced like the "a" in "say," the "t" sound is pronounced like the "t" in "top," and the "s" sound is pronounced like the "s" in "sun."

Meaning and Definition
Common Misspellings
Etymology
Similar spelling words
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GREAT CIRCLE Meaning and Definition

  1. A great circle refers to the largest circle that can be drawn on a sphere. It is a circle whose center coincides with the center of the sphere, and its circumference divides the sphere into two equal halves. In simpler words, it is a circle that bisects a sphere into two hemispheres, and its diameter is the same as that of the sphere.

    To further understand the concept, imagine a globe representing the Earth. A great circle would be a circle formed by intersecting the Earth's surface with a plane that passes through its center. This circle cuts the Earth into two equal parts, usually known as the northern and southern hemispheres. The equator is an excellent example of a great circle since it divides the Earth into two equal halves.

    Great circles are widely used in navigation and cartography, especially when determining the shortest distance between two points on a sphere. They are utilized in flight planning, sea navigation, and also in generating maps. The shortest path between two points on the Earth's surface is always along a great circle. When navigating, pilots and sailors often try to follow great circles to save time and fuel.

    In summary, a great circle is an imaginary circle on a sphere whose circumference divides the sphere into equal halves and has the same diameter as the sphere itself. It plays a crucial role in various fields, particularly navigation and mapping, as it provides the shortest route between two points on a sphere's surface.

Common Misspellings for GREAT CIRCLE

  • freat circle
  • vreat circle
  • breat circle
  • hreat circle
  • yreat circle
  • treat circle
  • geeat circle
  • gdeat circle
  • gfeat circle
  • gteat circle
  • g5eat circle
  • g4eat circle
  • grwat circle
  • grsat circle
  • grdat circle
  • grrat circle
  • gr4at circle
  • gr3at circle
  • grezt circle

Etymology of GREAT CIRCLE

The word "great circle" has a clear etymology. The term "circle" comes from the Latin word "circulus", which means "ring" or "circular shape". The word "great" is used to describe the circle formed by the intersection of a sphere and a plane passing through its center. This term is used in mathematics and navigation to refer to the largest circle that can be drawn on the surface of a sphere. So, the combination of these two words, "great" and "circle", describes this specific type of circle on a sphere.

Similar spelling words for GREAT CIRCLE