C O N S I D E R
In mathematics, surface generated by a line moving parallel to a given fixed line and continually intersecting a given fixed curve called the directrix; each line of the family of lines forming the cylinder is called a ruling, or generator. If the directrix is a conic section (e.g., a circle or a parabola), the cylinder is called a quadric cylinder. The commonest type of cylinder is the right circular cylinder, in which the directrix is a circle and the lines forming the cylinder are all perpendicular to the plane of the circle. The solid bounded by a cylindrical surface and two parallel planes intersecting the surface in closed curves is also called a cylinder. The perpendicular distance between the planes is the altitude of the cylinder. The volume of the cylinder is equal to the product of the altitude and the area of the base (the area enclosed by either closed curve).
[Harris, William H., and Judith S. Levey, eds. The New Columbia Encyclopedia. New York and London: Columbia University Press, 1975.]
R E F E R E N C E S
Cylinder n [MF or L; MF cylindre, fr. L cylindrus, fr. GK Kylindros, fr. kylindein to roll; perh. akin to Gk kykos wheel -more at Wheel] [1570] 1a: the surface traced by a straight line moivng parallel to a fixed straight line and intersecting a fixed planar closed curve b: the space bounded by a cylinder and two parallel planes cutting all its elements -see Volume table 2: a cylindrical body or space: as a: the turning chambered breech of a revolver b [1]: the piston chamber in an engine [2]: a chamber in a pump from which the piston expels the fluid c: any of various rotating members in a press [as a printing press]; esp: one that impresses paper on an inked form d: a cylindrical clay object inscribed with cuneiform inscriptions
Cylindrical also cylindric adj [1646]: relating to or having the form or properties of a cylinder
Cylindrical coordinate n [ca. 1934]: any of the coordinates in space obtained by constructing in a plane a polar coordinate system and on a line perpendicular to the plane a linear coordinate system.
[Merriam-Webster's Collegiate Dictionary, 10th Edition. Springfield, MA, USA: Merriam-Webster, Inc. 1995.]
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