Hy`per*bol"ic (?), Hy`per*bol"ic*al (?), a. [L. hyperbolicus, Gr. : cf. F. hyperbolique.]

1. Math.

Belonging to the hyperbola; having the nature of the hyperbola.

2. Rhet.

Relating to, containing, or of the nature of, hyperbole; exaggerating or diminishing beyond the fact; exceeding the truth; as, an hyperbolical expression.

"This hyperbolical epitaph."

Fuller.

Hyperbolic functions Math., certain functions which have relations to the hyperbola corresponding to those which sines, cosines, tangents, etc., have to the circle; and hence, called hyperbolic sines, hyperbolic cosines, etc. -- Hyperbolic logarithm. See Logarithm. -- Hyperbolic spiral Math., a spiral curve, the law of which is, that the distance from the pole to the generating point varies inversely as the angle swept over by the radius vector.

 

© Webster 1913.

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