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
asked Mar 13 at 17:09
Transistor OverlordTransistor Overlord
1264
|
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
asked Mar 13 at 17:09
Transistor OverlordTransistor Overlord
1264
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
Mar 13 at 17:24
4
No, you can't use it. A semi-circle means half of a circle.
– Ubi hatt
Mar 13 at 17:31
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
Mar 13 at 21:11
3
It is 5/6 of a circle.
– user207421
Mar 13 at 21:23
@WeatherVane The word should needs to be used in "... the word arc can be used," not can. Arc it is, after all.
– Kris
Mar 14 at 8:24
|
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
asked Mar 13 at 17:09
Transistor OverlordTransistor Overlord
1264
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
asked Mar 13 at 17:09
Transistor OverlordTransistor Overlord
1264
asked Mar 13 at 17:09
Transistor OverlordTransistor Overlord
1264
asked Mar 13 at 17:09
Transistor OverlordTransistor Overlord
1264
asked Mar 13 at 17:09
Transistor OverlordTransistor Overlord
1264
asked Mar 13 at 17:09
Transistor OverlordTransistor Overlord
1264
1264
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
Mar 13 at 17:24
4
No, you can't use it. A semi-circle means half of a circle.
– Ubi hatt
Mar 13 at 17:31
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
Mar 13 at 21:11
3
It is 5/6 of a circle.
– user207421
Mar 13 at 21:23
@WeatherVane The word should needs to be used in "... the word arc can be used," not can. Arc it is, after all.
– Kris
Mar 14 at 8:24
|
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
Mar 13 at 17:24
4
No, you can't use it. A semi-circle means half of a circle.
– Ubi hatt
Mar 13 at 17:31
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
Mar 13 at 21:11
3
It is 5/6 of a circle.
– user207421
Mar 13 at 21:23
@WeatherVane The word should needs to be used in "... the word arc can be used," not can. Arc it is, after all.
– Kris
Mar 14 at 8:24
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
Mar 13 at 17:24
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
Mar 13 at 17:24
4
4
No, you can't use it. A semi-circle means half of a circle.
– Ubi hatt
Mar 13 at 17:31
No, you can't use it. A semi-circle means half of a circle.
– Ubi hatt
Mar 13 at 17:31
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
Mar 13 at 21:11
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
Mar 13 at 21:11
3
3
It is 5/6 of a circle.
– user207421
Mar 13 at 21:23
It is 5/6 of a circle.
– user207421
Mar 13 at 21:23
@WeatherVane The word should needs to be used in "... the word arc can be used," not can. Arc it is, after all.
– Kris
Mar 14 at 8:24
@WeatherVane The word should needs to be used in "... the word arc can be used," not can. Arc it is, after all.
– Kris
Mar 14 at 8:24
|
show 5 more comments
2 Answers
2
active
oldest
votes
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).
answered Mar 14 at 3:56
ThanassisThanassis
1463
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.
edited Mar 14 at 8:41
Ubi hatt
3,056725
answered Mar 13 at 19:24
Steven KleinSteven Klein
1692
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
Mar 14 at 3:05
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
Mar 14 at 5:53
@Clonkex "semi-" means half, and "bi-" (as in bicycle, which is how I remember the difference) means two.
– RonJohn
Mar 14 at 8:10
Please read the FAQ. Good Luck.
– Kris
Mar 14 at 8:26
@RonJohn I understand that, but that's not how I naturally interpret "semiannually". I only point this out because I may not be alone.
– Clonkex
Mar 15 at 3:55
|
show 2 more comments
Your Answer
StackExchange.ready(function() {
var channelOptions = {
tags: "".split(" "),
id: "97"
};
initTagRenderer("".split(" "), "".split(" "), channelOptions);
StackExchange.using("externalEditor", function() {
// Have to fire editor after snippets, if snippets enabled
if (StackExchange.settings.snippets.snippetsEnabled) {
StackExchange.using("snippets", function() {
createEditor();
});
}
else {
createEditor();
}
});
function createEditor() {
StackExchange.prepareEditor({
heartbeatType: 'answer',
autoActivateHeartbeat: false,
convertImagesToLinks: false,
noModals: true,
showLowRepImageUploadWarning: true,
reputationToPostImages: null,
bindNavPrevention: true,
postfix: "",
imageUploader: {
brandingHtml: "Powered by u003ca class="icon-imgur-white" href="https://imgur.com/"u003eu003c/au003e",
contentPolicyHtml: "User contributions licensed under u003ca href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/"u003ecc by-sa 3.0 with attribution requiredu003c/au003e u003ca href="https://stackoverflow.com/legal/content-policy"u003e(content policy)u003c/au003e",
allowUrls: true
},
noCode: true, onDemand: true,
discardSelector: ".discard-answer"
,immediatelyShowMarkdownHelp:true
});
}
});
Sign up or log in
StackExchange.ready(function () {
StackExchange.helpers.onClickDraftSave('#login-link');
});
Sign up using Google
Sign up using Facebook
Sign up using Email and Password
Post as a guest
Required, but never shown
StackExchange.ready(
function () {
StackExchange.openid.initPostLogin('.new-post-login', 'https%3a%2f%2fenglish.stackexchange.com%2fquestions%2f489545%2fcan-semicircle-be-used-to-refer-to-a-part-circle-that-is-not-a-exact-half-circ%23new-answer', 'question_page');
}
);
Post as a guest
Required, but never shown
2 Answers
2
active
oldest
votes
2 Answers
2
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
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).
answered Mar 14 at 3:56
ThanassisThanassis
1463
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).
answered Mar 14 at 3:56
ThanassisThanassis
1463
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).
answered Mar 14 at 3:56
ThanassisThanassis
1463
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).
answered Mar 14 at 3:56
ThanassisThanassis
1463
answered Mar 14 at 3:56
ThanassisThanassis
1463
answered Mar 14 at 3:56
ThanassisThanassis
1463
answered Mar 14 at 3:56
ThanassisThanassis
1463
1463
add a comment |
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.
edited Mar 14 at 8:41
Ubi hatt
3,056725
answered Mar 13 at 19:24
Steven KleinSteven Klein
1692
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
Mar 14 at 3:05
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
Mar 14 at 5:53
@Clonkex "semi-" means half, and "bi-" (as in bicycle, which is how I remember the difference) means two.
– RonJohn
Mar 14 at 8:10
Please read the FAQ. Good Luck.
– Kris
Mar 14 at 8:26
@RonJohn I understand that, but that's not how I naturally interpret "semiannually". I only point this out because I may not be alone.
– Clonkex
Mar 15 at 3:55
|
show 2 more comments
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.
edited Mar 14 at 8:41
Ubi hatt
3,056725
answered Mar 13 at 19:24
Steven KleinSteven Klein
1692
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
Mar 14 at 3:05
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
Mar 14 at 5:53
@Clonkex "semi-" means half, and "bi-" (as in bicycle, which is how I remember the difference) means two.
– RonJohn
Mar 14 at 8:10
Please read the FAQ. Good Luck.
– Kris
Mar 14 at 8:26
@RonJohn I understand that, but that's not how I naturally interpret "semiannually". I only point this out because I may not be alone.
– Clonkex
Mar 15 at 3:55
|
show 2 more comments
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.
edited Mar 14 at 8:41
Ubi hatt
3,056725
answered Mar 13 at 19:24
Steven KleinSteven Klein
1692
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.
edited Mar 14 at 8:41
Ubi hatt
3,056725
answered Mar 13 at 19:24
Steven KleinSteven Klein
1692
edited Mar 14 at 8:41
Ubi hatt
3,056725
edited Mar 14 at 8:41
Ubi hatt
3,056725
edited Mar 14 at 8:41
Ubi hatt
3,056725
3,056725
answered Mar 13 at 19:24
Steven KleinSteven Klein
1692
answered Mar 13 at 19:24
Steven KleinSteven Klein
1692
answered Mar 13 at 19:24
Steven KleinSteven Klein
1692
1692
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
Mar 14 at 3:05
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
Mar 14 at 5:53
@Clonkex "semi-" means half, and "bi-" (as in bicycle, which is how I remember the difference) means two.
– RonJohn
Mar 14 at 8:10
Please read the FAQ. Good Luck.
– Kris
Mar 14 at 8:26
@RonJohn I understand that, but that's not how I naturally interpret "semiannually". I only point this out because I may not be alone.
– Clonkex
Mar 15 at 3:55
|
show 2 more comments
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
Mar 14 at 3:05
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
Mar 14 at 5:53
@Clonkex "semi-" means half, and "bi-" (as in bicycle, which is how I remember the difference) means two.
– RonJohn
Mar 14 at 8:10
Please read the FAQ. Good Luck.
– Kris
Mar 14 at 8:26
@RonJohn I understand that, but that's not how I naturally interpret "semiannually". I only point this out because I may not be alone.
– Clonkex
Mar 15 at 3:55
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
Mar 14 at 3:05
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
Mar 14 at 3:05
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
Mar 14 at 5:53
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
Mar 14 at 5:53
@Clonkex "semi-" means half, and "bi-" (as in bicycle, which is how I remember the difference) means two.
– RonJohn
Mar 14 at 8:10
@Clonkex "semi-" means half, and "bi-" (as in bicycle, which is how I remember the difference) means two.
– RonJohn
Mar 14 at 8:10
Please read the FAQ. Good Luck.
– Kris
Mar 14 at 8:26
Please read the FAQ. Good Luck.
– Kris
Mar 14 at 8:26
@RonJohn I understand that, but that's not how I naturally interpret "semiannually". I only point this out because I may not be alone.
– Clonkex
Mar 15 at 3:55
@RonJohn I understand that, but that's not how I naturally interpret "semiannually". I only point this out because I may not be alone.
– Clonkex
Mar 15 at 3:55
|
show 2 more comments
Thanks for contributing an answer to English Language & Usage Stack Exchange!
- Please be sure to answer the question. Provide details and share your research!
But avoid …
- Asking for help, clarification, or responding to other answers.
- Making statements based on opinion; back them up with references or personal experience.
To learn more, see our tips on writing great answers.
Sign up or log in
StackExchange.ready(function () {
StackExchange.helpers.onClickDraftSave('#login-link');
});
Sign up using Google
Sign up using Facebook
Sign up using Email and Password
Post as a guest
Required, but never shown
StackExchange.ready(
function () {
StackExchange.openid.initPostLogin('.new-post-login', 'https%3a%2f%2fenglish.stackexchange.com%2fquestions%2f489545%2fcan-semicircle-be-used-to-refer-to-a-part-circle-that-is-not-a-exact-half-circ%23new-answer', 'question_page');
}
);
Post as a guest
Required, but never shown
Sign up or log in
StackExchange.ready(function () {
StackExchange.helpers.onClickDraftSave('#login-link');
});
Sign up using Google
Sign up using Facebook
Sign up using Email and Password
Post as a guest
Required, but never shown
Sign up or log in
StackExchange.ready(function () {
StackExchange.helpers.onClickDraftSave('#login-link');
});
Sign up using Google
Sign up using Facebook
Sign up using Email and Password
Post as a guest
Required, but never shown
Sign up or log in
StackExchange.ready(function () {
StackExchange.helpers.onClickDraftSave('#login-link');
});
Sign up using Google
Sign up using Facebook
Sign up using Email and Password
Sign up using Google
Sign up using Facebook
Sign up using Email and Password
Post as a guest
Required, but never shown
Required, but never shown
Required, but never shown
Required, but never shown
Required, but never shown
Required, but never shown
Required, but never shown
Required, but never shown
Required, but never shown
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
Mar 13 at 17:24
4
No, you can't use it. A semi-circle means half of a circle.
– Ubi hatt
Mar 13 at 17:31
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
Mar 13 at 21:11
3
It is 5/6 of a circle.
– user207421
Mar 13 at 21:23
@WeatherVane The word should needs to be used in "... the word arc can be used," not can. Arc it is, after all.
– Kris
Mar 14 at 8:24