great circle

== English == === Noun === great circle (plural great circles) (geometry) A circle defined as the intersection of the surface of a sphere and a plane which passes through the centre of the sphere. A segment of such circle representing the shortest distance between two points on the surface of a sphere. Synonym: great-circle arc ==== Hyponyms ==== vertical circle ==== Derived terms ==== great circle route ==== Translations ==== ==== See also ==== small circle === Further reading === great circle on Wikipedia.Wikipedia