epicycloid (episikloid)

[ a point on the circumference of a circle which rolls upon the convex side of a fixed Epicycloid. circle. These curves were invented by the Danish astronomer Roemer in 1674.- Elliptic epicycloid, a curve of the fourth order traced by a point in the plane of an ellipse which rolls upon an equal fixed ellipse. Exterior epicycloid, an epicycloid opposed to an interior epicycloid, which is a hypocycloid. Interior epicycloid, a hypocycloid. - Parabolic epicycloid, the locus of a point upon the plane of a parabola which rolls upon an equal fixed parabola. - Spherical epicycloid, the locus of a point on the plane of a circle which rolls upon another circle so that the two planes have a constant inclination to each other. The earlier epidemics of malignant cholera which visited Europe were believed to have been heralded by an unusual prevalence of "fevers" and diarrheal affections. Quain, Med. Dict., p. 441. 2. The disease thus prevalent. Those dreadful exterminating epidemicks , which, in consequence of scanty and unwholesome food, in former times not unfrequently wasted whole nations. Burke , On Scarcity.