English Dictionary

great circle

noun

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

The great circle is the shortest distance between two points on a sphere.

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, [....]