Can “semicircle” be used to refer to a part-circle that is not a exact half-circle?
Going through a specification sheet for an engineering device, I glanced upon this phrase:
...the angular scanning range of the device is a semicircle of 300 degrees...
A semicircle is usually defined as a proper half of a circle - in mathematical terms a circle of angle 180 degrees. Clearly 300 degrees is more than a half, it is closer to being 5/6th of a circle. Is it grammatically correct to refer to non-full circles as a "semicircle", even though they are not exactly a half-circle.
grammaticality mathematics
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Going through a specification sheet for an engineering device, I glanced upon this phrase:
...the angular scanning range of the device is a semicircle of 300 degrees...
A semicircle is usually defined as a proper half of a circle - in mathematical terms a circle of angle 180 degrees. Clearly 300 degrees is more than a half, it is closer to being 5/6th of a circle. Is it grammatically correct to refer to non-full circles as a "semicircle", even though they are not exactly a half-circle.
grammaticality mathematics
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9
I would say the word arc can be used: "an arc of 300 degrees," or perhaps: "the scanning range of the device is an angle of 300 degrees".
– Weather Vane
yesterday
4
No, you can't use it. A semi-circle means half of a circle.
– ubi hatt
yesterday
I presume it is clear from context that you are talking about geometric angle measure, not temperature. Thus, I would get rid of the "angular scanning range" as completely superfluous non-information. Instead, you may want to add actual information, like that it is scanning range in horizontal (or vertical) plane. Or is a sphere? Or half-sphere? Look at it from the point of view of a user of the device.
– Rusty Core
yesterday
3
It is 5/6 of a circle.
– user207421
23 hours ago
@WeatherVane The word should needs to be used in "... the word arc can be used," not can. Arc it is, after all.
– Kris
12 hours ago
|
show 5 more comments
Going through a specification sheet for an engineering device, I glanced upon this phrase:
...the angular scanning range of the device is a semicircle of 300 degrees...
A semicircle is usually defined as a proper half of a circle - in mathematical terms a circle of angle 180 degrees. Clearly 300 degrees is more than a half, it is closer to being 5/6th of a circle. Is it grammatically correct to refer to non-full circles as a "semicircle", even though they are not exactly a half-circle.
grammaticality mathematics
New contributor
Transistor Overlord is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
Going through a specification sheet for an engineering device, I glanced upon this phrase:
...the angular scanning range of the device is a semicircle of 300 degrees...
A semicircle is usually defined as a proper half of a circle - in mathematical terms a circle of angle 180 degrees. Clearly 300 degrees is more than a half, it is closer to being 5/6th of a circle. Is it grammatically correct to refer to non-full circles as a "semicircle", even though they are not exactly a half-circle.
grammaticality mathematics
grammaticality mathematics
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asked yesterday
Transistor OverlordTransistor Overlord
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9
I would say the word arc can be used: "an arc of 300 degrees," or perhaps: "the scanning range of the device is an angle of 300 degrees".
– Weather Vane
yesterday
4
No, you can't use it. A semi-circle means half of a circle.
– ubi hatt
yesterday
I presume it is clear from context that you are talking about geometric angle measure, not temperature. Thus, I would get rid of the "angular scanning range" as completely superfluous non-information. Instead, you may want to add actual information, like that it is scanning range in horizontal (or vertical) plane. Or is a sphere? Or half-sphere? Look at it from the point of view of a user of the device.
– Rusty Core
yesterday
3
It is 5/6 of a circle.
– user207421
23 hours ago
@WeatherVane The word should needs to be used in "... the word arc can be used," not can. Arc it is, after all.
– Kris
12 hours ago
|
show 5 more comments
9
I would say the word arc can be used: "an arc of 300 degrees," or perhaps: "the scanning range of the device is an angle of 300 degrees".
– Weather Vane
yesterday
4
No, you can't use it. A semi-circle means half of a circle.
– ubi hatt
yesterday
I presume it is clear from context that you are talking about geometric angle measure, not temperature. Thus, I would get rid of the "angular scanning range" as completely superfluous non-information. Instead, you may want to add actual information, like that it is scanning range in horizontal (or vertical) plane. Or is a sphere? Or half-sphere? Look at it from the point of view of a user of the device.
– Rusty Core
yesterday
3
It is 5/6 of a circle.
– user207421
23 hours ago
@WeatherVane The word should needs to be used in "... the word arc can be used," not can. Arc it is, after all.
– Kris
12 hours ago
9
9
I would say the word arc can be used: "an arc of 300 degrees," or perhaps: "the scanning range of the device is an angle of 300 degrees".
– Weather Vane
yesterday
I would say the word arc can be used: "an arc of 300 degrees," or perhaps: "the scanning range of the device is an angle of 300 degrees".
– Weather Vane
yesterday
4
4
No, you can't use it. A semi-circle means half of a circle.
– ubi hatt
yesterday
No, you can't use it. A semi-circle means half of a circle.
– ubi hatt
yesterday
I presume it is clear from context that you are talking about geometric angle measure, not temperature. Thus, I would get rid of the "angular scanning range" as completely superfluous non-information. Instead, you may want to add actual information, like that it is scanning range in horizontal (or vertical) plane. Or is a sphere? Or half-sphere? Look at it from the point of view of a user of the device.
– Rusty Core
yesterday
I presume it is clear from context that you are talking about geometric angle measure, not temperature. Thus, I would get rid of the "angular scanning range" as completely superfluous non-information. Instead, you may want to add actual information, like that it is scanning range in horizontal (or vertical) plane. Or is a sphere? Or half-sphere? Look at it from the point of view of a user of the device.
– Rusty Core
yesterday
3
3
It is 5/6 of a circle.
– user207421
23 hours ago
It is 5/6 of a circle.
– user207421
23 hours ago
@WeatherVane The word should needs to be used in "... the word arc can be used," not can. Arc it is, after all.
– Kris
12 hours ago
@WeatherVane The word should needs to be used in "... the word arc can be used," not can. Arc it is, after all.
– Kris
12 hours ago
|
show 5 more comments
3 Answers
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In English, the prefix semi- usually means partly, as in semiconscious or semiautomatic.
But it can also mean half, as in semiannually, which always refers to something that happens every half-year (twice yearly).
The word semicircle has a specific defined meaning: a half of a circle or of its circumference. (Source: New Oxford American Dictionary)
So no, semicircle cannot be used to refer to any part of a circle that isn't 180 degrees.
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This might be an unusual opinion, but when I hear "semiannually" I think "probably once every 2 years, but inconsistently so". I'm Australian, in case that's relevant.
– Clonkex
18 hours ago
1
Biannual is the term for something that happens every six months. Not to be confused with biennial which is something that happens every two years.
– mcalex
15 hours ago
@Clonkex "semi-" means half, and "bi-" (as in bicycle, which is how I remember the difference) means two.
– RonJohn
13 hours ago
Please read the FAQ. Good Luck.
– Kris
12 hours ago
add a comment |
The answer by Steven is correct, you cannot use semicircle in this case.
Here are some alternatives I would use:
the angular scanning range of the device is an arc of 300 degrees...
Or if we want to give a sense of an area being scanned:
the angular scanning range of the device is a circular sector of 300 degrees...
Here's the definition of circular sector
Or simply:
the angular scanning range of the device is 300 degrees...
I think this is the most technically accurate one. The angular range should be described as an angle, hence measured in degrees (or rads).
New contributor
Thanassis is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
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add a comment |
I would use "a 300-degree segment of a circle".
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3 Answers
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In English, the prefix semi- usually means partly, as in semiconscious or semiautomatic.
But it can also mean half, as in semiannually, which always refers to something that happens every half-year (twice yearly).
The word semicircle has a specific defined meaning: a half of a circle or of its circumference. (Source: New Oxford American Dictionary)
So no, semicircle cannot be used to refer to any part of a circle that isn't 180 degrees.
New contributor
Steven Klein is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
This might be an unusual opinion, but when I hear "semiannually" I think "probably once every 2 years, but inconsistently so". I'm Australian, in case that's relevant.
– Clonkex
18 hours ago
1
Biannual is the term for something that happens every six months. Not to be confused with biennial which is something that happens every two years.
– mcalex
15 hours ago
@Clonkex "semi-" means half, and "bi-" (as in bicycle, which is how I remember the difference) means two.
– RonJohn
13 hours ago
Please read the FAQ. Good Luck.
– Kris
12 hours ago
add a comment |
In English, the prefix semi- usually means partly, as in semiconscious or semiautomatic.
But it can also mean half, as in semiannually, which always refers to something that happens every half-year (twice yearly).
The word semicircle has a specific defined meaning: a half of a circle or of its circumference. (Source: New Oxford American Dictionary)
So no, semicircle cannot be used to refer to any part of a circle that isn't 180 degrees.
New contributor
Steven Klein is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
This might be an unusual opinion, but when I hear "semiannually" I think "probably once every 2 years, but inconsistently so". I'm Australian, in case that's relevant.
– Clonkex
18 hours ago
1
Biannual is the term for something that happens every six months. Not to be confused with biennial which is something that happens every two years.
– mcalex
15 hours ago
@Clonkex "semi-" means half, and "bi-" (as in bicycle, which is how I remember the difference) means two.
– RonJohn
13 hours ago
Please read the FAQ. Good Luck.
– Kris
12 hours ago
add a comment |
In English, the prefix semi- usually means partly, as in semiconscious or semiautomatic.
But it can also mean half, as in semiannually, which always refers to something that happens every half-year (twice yearly).
The word semicircle has a specific defined meaning: a half of a circle or of its circumference. (Source: New Oxford American Dictionary)
So no, semicircle cannot be used to refer to any part of a circle that isn't 180 degrees.
New contributor
Steven Klein is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
In English, the prefix semi- usually means partly, as in semiconscious or semiautomatic.
But it can also mean half, as in semiannually, which always refers to something that happens every half-year (twice yearly).
The word semicircle has a specific defined meaning: a half of a circle or of its circumference. (Source: New Oxford American Dictionary)
So no, semicircle cannot be used to refer to any part of a circle that isn't 180 degrees.
New contributor
Steven Klein is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
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edited 12 hours ago
ubi hatt
2,524420
2,524420
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answered yesterday
Steven KleinSteven Klein
1592
1592
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This might be an unusual opinion, but when I hear "semiannually" I think "probably once every 2 years, but inconsistently so". I'm Australian, in case that's relevant.
– Clonkex
18 hours ago
1
Biannual is the term for something that happens every six months. Not to be confused with biennial which is something that happens every two years.
– mcalex
15 hours ago
@Clonkex "semi-" means half, and "bi-" (as in bicycle, which is how I remember the difference) means two.
– RonJohn
13 hours ago
Please read the FAQ. Good Luck.
– Kris
12 hours ago
add a comment |
This might be an unusual opinion, but when I hear "semiannually" I think "probably once every 2 years, but inconsistently so". I'm Australian, in case that's relevant.
– Clonkex
18 hours ago
1
Biannual is the term for something that happens every six months. Not to be confused with biennial which is something that happens every two years.
– mcalex
15 hours ago
@Clonkex "semi-" means half, and "bi-" (as in bicycle, which is how I remember the difference) means two.
– RonJohn
13 hours ago
Please read the FAQ. Good Luck.
– Kris
12 hours ago
This might be an unusual opinion, but when I hear "semiannually" I think "probably once every 2 years, but inconsistently so". I'm Australian, in case that's relevant.
– Clonkex
18 hours ago
This might be an unusual opinion, but when I hear "semiannually" I think "probably once every 2 years, but inconsistently so". I'm Australian, in case that's relevant.
– Clonkex
18 hours ago
1
1
Biannual is the term for something that happens every six months. Not to be confused with biennial which is something that happens every two years.
– mcalex
15 hours ago
Biannual is the term for something that happens every six months. Not to be confused with biennial which is something that happens every two years.
– mcalex
15 hours ago
@Clonkex "semi-" means half, and "bi-" (as in bicycle, which is how I remember the difference) means two.
– RonJohn
13 hours ago
@Clonkex "semi-" means half, and "bi-" (as in bicycle, which is how I remember the difference) means two.
– RonJohn
13 hours ago
Please read the FAQ. Good Luck.
– Kris
12 hours ago
Please read the FAQ. Good Luck.
– Kris
12 hours ago
add a comment |
The answer by Steven is correct, you cannot use semicircle in this case.
Here are some alternatives I would use:
the angular scanning range of the device is an arc of 300 degrees...
Or if we want to give a sense of an area being scanned:
the angular scanning range of the device is a circular sector of 300 degrees...
Here's the definition of circular sector
Or simply:
the angular scanning range of the device is 300 degrees...
I think this is the most technically accurate one. The angular range should be described as an angle, hence measured in degrees (or rads).
New contributor
Thanassis is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
add a comment |
The answer by Steven is correct, you cannot use semicircle in this case.
Here are some alternatives I would use:
the angular scanning range of the device is an arc of 300 degrees...
Or if we want to give a sense of an area being scanned:
the angular scanning range of the device is a circular sector of 300 degrees...
Here's the definition of circular sector
Or simply:
the angular scanning range of the device is 300 degrees...
I think this is the most technically accurate one. The angular range should be described as an angle, hence measured in degrees (or rads).
New contributor
Thanassis is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
add a comment |
The answer by Steven is correct, you cannot use semicircle in this case.
Here are some alternatives I would use:
the angular scanning range of the device is an arc of 300 degrees...
Or if we want to give a sense of an area being scanned:
the angular scanning range of the device is a circular sector of 300 degrees...
Here's the definition of circular sector
Or simply:
the angular scanning range of the device is 300 degrees...
I think this is the most technically accurate one. The angular range should be described as an angle, hence measured in degrees (or rads).
New contributor
Thanassis is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
The answer by Steven is correct, you cannot use semicircle in this case.
Here are some alternatives I would use:
the angular scanning range of the device is an arc of 300 degrees...
Or if we want to give a sense of an area being scanned:
the angular scanning range of the device is a circular sector of 300 degrees...
Here's the definition of circular sector
Or simply:
the angular scanning range of the device is 300 degrees...
I think this is the most technically accurate one. The angular range should be described as an angle, hence measured in degrees (or rads).
New contributor
Thanassis is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
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answered 17 hours ago
ThanassisThanassis
1213
1213
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add a comment |
add a comment |
I would use "a 300-degree segment of a circle".
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I would use "a 300-degree segment of a circle".
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I would use "a 300-degree segment of a circle".
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I would use "a 300-degree segment of a circle".
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answered 14 hours ago
Henry PersimmonHenry Persimmon
1
1
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add a comment |
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9
I would say the word arc can be used: "an arc of 300 degrees," or perhaps: "the scanning range of the device is an angle of 300 degrees".
– Weather Vane
yesterday
4
No, you can't use it. A semi-circle means half of a circle.
– ubi hatt
yesterday
I presume it is clear from context that you are talking about geometric angle measure, not temperature. Thus, I would get rid of the "angular scanning range" as completely superfluous non-information. Instead, you may want to add actual information, like that it is scanning range in horizontal (or vertical) plane. Or is a sphere? Or half-sphere? Look at it from the point of view of a user of the device.
– Rusty Core
yesterday
3
It is 5/6 of a circle.
– user207421
23 hours ago
@WeatherVane The word should needs to be used in "... the word arc can be used," not can. Arc it is, after all.
– Kris
12 hours ago