Spline

Quick meaning: Spline is a noun meaning A long, thin piece of metal or wood.

Meaning

A long, thin piece of metal or wood.

More Meanings

1. (mathematics, computing) Any of a number of smooth curves used to join points.
2. (mathematics, computing) To smooth (a curve or surface) by means of a spline.
3. (engineering) To fit with a spline.
4. (woodworking) A strip of wood or other material inserted into grooves in each of two pieces of wood to provide additional surface for gluing.
5. A flexible strip of metal or other material, that may be bent into a curve and used in a similar manner to a ruler to draw smooth curves between points.
6. A rectangular piece that fits grooves like key seats in a hub and a shaft, so that while the one may slide endwise on the other, both must revolve together.
7. (mechanics) A ridge or tooth on a drive shaft that meshes with a corresponding groove in a mating piece and transfers torque to it, maintaining the angular correspondence between the pieces; either the ridge or the groove, as part of a set of both (splines); the whole set of ridges and grooves.

Example Sentences

Near-synonym: feather

These packs can be holding or driving devices, depending on what they are splined to.

Engineers did not think two crankshafts could be synchronized. Wood, by splining the shafts in each gear box, proved it could be done.

Machining a straight spline with a lathe. Sometimes the task of splining a shaft comes up during a repair. Instead of sending out the job, use this setup to mill the splines on a lathe.

Word Forms

• splines
• splining
• splined

Synonyms for spline

Depending on context, synonyms include feather, slat.

Related Words

Related dictionary entries include slat, splined, keyway, feather, spindling, duck.

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