English Dictionary

great circle

名詞

(geometry) A circle defined as the intersection of the surface of a sphere and a plane which passes through the centre of the sphere.

日本語の意味

球の中心を通る平面と球面の交線によって定義される円。

A great circle is the largest possible circle on a sphere, formed by the intersection of the sphere with a plane that passes through its center.

大円とは、球面とその中心を通る平面との交線によって定義される、球上で最大の円である。

意味（1）

(geometry) A circle defined as the intersection of the surface of a sphere and a plane which passes through the centre of the sphere.

意味（2）

A segment of such circle representing the shortest distance between two points on the surface of a sphere.

Wherever a navigator may be, it certainly would be to his advantage to be able to find the great circle, or shortest course, and the distance, to his port of destination, [....]

great circles （ plural ）