Curve
A curve may be a locus, or a path. That is, it may be a graphical
representation of some property of points; or it may be traced out, for example
by a stick in the sand on a beach. Of course if one says curved in ordinary
language, it means bent (not straight), so refers to a locus.
In mathematics, the concept of a curve tries to capture the intuitive idea of
a geometrical one-dimensional and continuous object. Simple examples are the
circle or the straight line. A large number of other curves have been studied in
geometry.
See also