An Etymological Dictionary of Astronomy and Astrophysics
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The geometry based on the postulates or descriptions of Euclid. One of the critical assumptions of the Euclidean geometry is given in his fifth postulate: through a point not on a line, one and only one line be drawn parallel to the given line. See also → non-Euclidean geometry.

→ Euclidean; → geometry.

Any of several geometries which do not follow the postulates and results of Euclidean geometry. For example, in a non-Euclidean geometry through a point several lines can be drawn parallel to another line. Or, the sum of the interior angles of a triangle differs from 180 degrees. According to Einstein's general relativity theory, gravity distorts space into a non-Euclidean geometry.

→ non-; → Euclidean geometry.