小しょう円えん

noun

small circle

General term for any small circle, not necessarily mathematical.

• 紙かみに小しょう円えんをいくつか描かいた。

  I drew several small circles on the paper.

noun

small circle (of a sphere)

In geometry, a circle on a sphere whose plane does not pass through the center; contrast with 大円 (great circle).

See also: 大円

• 球きゅう面めん上じょうの小しょう円えんは、大だい円えんより曲きょく率りつが大おおきい。

  A small circle on a sphere has greater curvature than a great circle.