sigmoid

English

WOTD – 19 May 2007    

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Etymology

From Ancient Greek σιγμοειδής (sigmoeidḗs), from σίγμα (sígma) or σῖγμα (sîgma, “sigma”) + εἶδος (eîdos, “form, likeness”). Compare with French sigmoïde.

Pronunciation

• IPA: /ˈsɪɡ.mɔɪd/

• Audio (US)

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Adjective

Crude rendering of variations on the sigmoid shape

sigmoid (not comparable)

1. (geometry) Curved in two directions, like the letter "S", or the Greek ς (sigma).
   1. Having a serpentine shape; resembling S or ʃ
   2. (mathematics) Exhibiting logistic growth; having a graph that accelerates until it reaches a carrying capacity
2. (geometry, archaic) Semi-circular, like the lunar sigma (similar to English C).
3. (anatomy) Relating to the sigmoid flexure of the large intestine.

Synonyms

• sigmoidal

Derived terms

• sigmoid artery
• sigmoid colon
• sigmoid flexure
• sigmoid fossa
• sigmoid groove
• sigmoid sinus
• sigmoid valve
• sigmoid function
• sigmoidoscope

Translations

in geometry: curved in two directions

in geometry: semi-circular

in anatomy: relating to the sigmoid flexure of the large intestine

The translations below need to be checked and inserted above into the appropriate translation tables, removing any numbers. Numbers do not necessarily match those in definitions. See instructions at Help:How to check translations.

Translations to be checked

• French: sigmoïde (fr)

Noun

sigmoid (plural sigmoids)

1. (mathematics) A function having a graph whose shape is sigmoid. See Wikipedia and Mathworld.

Translations

in mathematics: function having a graph whose shape is sigmoid