great circle

noun

a circular line on the surface of a sphere formed by intersecting it with a plane passing through the center

• Hypernyms: ↑line

• Hyponyms:

↑celestial equator, ↑equinoctial circle, ↑equinoctial line, ↑equinoctial, ↑ecliptic, ↑equator, ↑horizon, ↑celestial horizon, ↑hour circle, ↑meridian, ↑line of longitude, ↑vertical circle

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noun

: a circle formed on the surface of a sphere by the intersection of a plane that passes through the center of the sphere; specifically : such a circle on the surface of the earth of which an arc constitutes the shortest distance between any two terrestrial points — compare small circle

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1. a circle on a spherical surface such that the plane containing the circle passes through the center of the sphere. Cf. small circle.

2. a circle of which a segment represents the shortest distance between two points on the surface of the earth.

[1585-95]

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great circle noun

A circle on the surface of a sphere whose centre is the centre of the sphere

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Main Entry: ↑great

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great circle,

1. any circle on the surface of a sphere having its plane passing through the center of the sphere. The equator is one of the great circles of the earth.

2. an arc of such a circle; the line of shortest distance between two points on the earth's surface.

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n. a circle on the surface of a sphere that lies in a plane passing through the sphere's center. As it represents the shortest distance between any two points on a sphere, a great circle of the earth is the preferred route taken by a ship or aircraft