catenary etymology

Etymology:

• Latin: catena, "chain"

Meaning:

• A curve formed by a flexible chain or cord suspended at its ends
• A suspension bridge with a suspended roadway in the shape of a catenary curve
• A hyperbolic cosine function, used in mathematics

Origin:

The term "catenary" was first used in the 17th century by the Swiss mathematician Jacob Bernoulli. It derives from the Latin word catena, meaning "chain," as the curve formed by a suspended chain is a catenary.

The mathematical definition of the catenary curve was developed by the English mathematician Edmond Halley in 1691. Halley used the catenary curve to model the shape of a suspension bridge, which he proposed as a design for a bridge across the River Thames in London.

catenary relate terms

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