Spline
/splaɪn/noun
A long, thin strip or ridge used to guide, join, or reinforce something; in mathematics and engineering, a smooth curve or flexible fitting based on such a strip.
Did you know?The math term came from a physical drafting tool: a flexible strip held by weights that naturally formed smooth curves, so modern “spline curves” are named after an old workshop object, not a mystical concept.
Etymological Timeline
Middle English
English
spline
“a long, narrow strip or strip-like piece, especially of wood or metal”
16th Century
English
spline
“a strip used in shipbuilding, carpentry, and wheelwright work to guide curves or hold parts in place”
19th Century
English
spline
“a flexible strip used by draftsmen to draw smooth curves”
20th Century
English
spline
“a smooth curve or interpolating function in mathematics and computer graphics”