characteristic curve

noun

: the graphic curve or the graph picturing it that shows the relation between two variables

a characteristic curve plotting the variations of grid potential and plate current in the normal operation of a vacuum tube

the patient's fever chart showed the characteristic curve for the disease

:

a

: the curve indicating the variation of density in a developed photographic image that results from the increase of exposure expressed logarithmically

called also H and D curve, sensitometric curve

b

: a curve showing the relationship between frequency and recording intensity or frequency and reproducing intensity in sound recording

Word History

First Known Use

1881, in the meaning defined above

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