In geometry:
* A geodesic is the shortest path between two points on a surface. This path is often described as a "straight line" on a curved surface. For example, on a sphere, geodesics are great circles (like lines of longitude or the equator).
* More generally, a geodesic is a path that minimizes the length of a curve between two points in a given space. This applies to more complex spaces than just surfaces, like manifolds.
In other contexts:
* Geodesy is the science of measuring and representing the Earth's shape and its gravitational field.
* A geodesic dome is a type of structural framework that uses triangular elements to form a strong, lightweight dome.
In summary:
The core meaning of "geodesic" revolves around the shortest path between two points in a given space. This concept has applications in various fields, from geometry and physics to architecture and engineering.