catenary (katenari)

and n. [L. cate The Catenary. The cord, a, c, d, hangs in a portion of the common catenary. teresting on account of the light lating to a chain; like a chain. Also catenarian. Catenary or catenarian curve, in geom., the curve of a perfectly flexible, inextensible, infinitely fine cord when at rest under the action of forces. The common catenary is what the catenary becomes when the forces are parallel and proportional to the length of the cord, as in the case of a heavy cord of uniform weight under the influence of gravitation. It is in it throws on the theory of arches, and also by reason of its application to the construction of suspension-bridges. II. n.; pl. catenaries (-riz). A catenary curve. catenate (kat'e-nat), v. t.; pret. and pp. cate nated , ppr. catenating . [L. catenatus, pp. of catenare, chain, catena , a chain: see catena and chain .] To chain, or connect in a series of links or ties; concatenate. catenate, catenated (kat'ē-nāt, -nā-ted), a. [ L. catenatus, pp.: see the verb.] Having the structure or appearance of a chain: applied in zoology to impre ed lines which are broken at regular intervals, to double str iæ connected by numerous short lines, etc. catenation (kat-e-na's hon), n. [= F. caténa tion, Sir T. Browne, Vulg. Err., v. 5.