ogiva

Ogiva is a term used in several fields to describe a curved, pointed, or streamlined form. The word appears in architecture, statistics, ballistics, and in place names or cultural references in various languages.

In architecture and geometry, an ogive (often called an ogival arch) refers to a pointed arch typical of Gothic design. The shape is usually formed by the intersection of two circular arcs, producing a slender, upward-pointing profile that distributes weight efficiently. The term can also describe related curved profiles used in decorative elements and vaults.

In statistics, an ogive is the graph of a cumulative frequency distribution. It plots the cumulative total of observations on the vertical axis against the corresponding data values on the horizontal axis, enabling quick estimation of medians, quartiles, and percentiles. Ogives are often used alongside histograms to provide a fuller view of a data set’s distribution.

In ballistics, the ogive refers to the curved nose section of a projectile. The shape is designed to minimize air resistance and improve aerodynamics. Common variants include tangent ogives and secant ogives, which differ in how the curvature is drawn from the tip back toward the body of the bullet.

Beyond these uses, Ogiva can appear as a place name or cultural term in some languages. The specific meaning typically depends on the disciplinary context in which it is encountered.