Gĕ-ŏm'e-try, n.

n. [Fr. géométrie, Gr. γεωμετρία, from γεωμετρεῖν, to measure land, from γέα, γῆ, the earth, and μετρεῖν, to measure; — so called because one of its earliest and most important applications was to the measurement of the earth's surface.] That branch of mathematics which investigates the relations, properties, and measurement of solids, surfaces, lines, and angles; the science which treats of the properties and relations of magnitudes.

Analytical geometry, that branch of mathematical analysis which has for its object the analytical investigation of the relations and properties of geometrical magnitudes. It is usually divided into two parts, determinate and indeterminate — determinate geometry having for its object the solution of problems in which the conditions given limit the number of solutions; indeterminate, having for its object the determination and discussion of the general properties and relations of lines and surfaces. — Descriptive geometry, that part of geometry which treats of the graphic solution of all problems involving three dimensions. — Elementary geometry, that part of geometry which relates to straight lines, plane surfaces, and solids bounded by plain surfaces, and also the sphere. — Higher geometry, that part of geometry which relates to conic sections and those magnitudes which are less simple in their relations.