Curvature

n.	1.	The act of curving, or the state of being bent or curved; a curving or bending, normal or abnormal, as of a line or surface from a rectilinear direction; a bend; a curve. The elegant curvature of their fronds. - Darwin.
	2.	(Math.) The amount of degree of bending of a mathematical curve, or the tendency at any point to depart from a tangent drawn to the curve at that point. Aberrancy of curvature (Geom.) the deviation of a curve from a circular form. Absolute curvature See under Absolute. Angle of curvature (Geom.) one that expresses the amount of curvature of a curve. Chord of curvature See under Chord. Circle of curvature See Osculating circle of a curve, under Circle. Curvature of the spine (Med.) an abnormal curving of the spine, especially in a lateral direction. Radius of curvature the radius of the circle of curvature, or osculatory circle, at any point of a curve.

Noun	1.	curvature - (medicine) a curving or bending; often abnormal; "curvature of the spine"
	2.	curvature - the rate of change (at a point) of the angle between a curve and a tangent to the curve
	3.	curvature - the property possessed by the curving of a line or surface Synonyms: curve

arc, arch, condition, crook, curve, medical specialty, medicine, status