curve
UK: kɜːv | US: kɜːrv
n. a smooth, continuously bending line or surface without angles
v. to bend or cause to bend in a smooth, continuous line
adj. having the shape of a curve
The word "curve" originates from the Latin curvus, meaning "bent" or "crooked." The morpheme curv preserves this core idea of bending, while the silent -e is a common suffix in English with no semantic function. The word entered Middle English via Old French curve, retaining its original sense of a smooth bend. Over time, it expanded to describe both physical shapes (e.g., a curved road) and abstract concepts (e.g., a learning curve).
The road ahead has a sharp curve.
She used a ruler to draw a perfect curve.
The graph shows an upward curve in sales.
He curved the ball around the defender.
The artist emphasized the natural curves of the human body.