Incurvé

Incurvé is a French adjective describing something that is bent or curved inward toward its interior or toward the inner side of a form. It is used to characterize lines, surfaces, or objects that curve away from the exterior and toward the center, as opposed to outward bending (convexe) or a simple straight form. The term can apply across fields such as geometry, architecture, biology, and everyday description.

Etymology and related terms: incurvé derives from the French verb incurver, itself formed from in- (toward) and curvus (bent), reflecting the sense of bending inward. Related terms include incurvation (the act of bending inward) and recurvé, which in some contexts indicates a reverse curvature or bending backward.

Applications: In geometry and design, incurvé describes curves that bend toward the interior of a figure. In botany, incurved leaves or petals fold toward the plant’s center; in anatomy, accents of curvature in bones or cartilage may be described as incurved when the structure bends inward. In architecture and sculpture, incurvated forms create inward-facing profiles or alcoves, contributing to spatial dynamics and light diffusion.

Distinctions: Incurvé denotes inward bending relative to a reference surface or axis, whereas concave and convex describe global inward or outward hollows from a viewpoint, potentially causing slight overlap in everyday language. In everyday use, incurvé often conveys a qualitative sense of inward curling, rather than a precise geometric measurement.

See also: concave, convex, recurvé, curvature, curvilinear.