Phrase guide

Christoffel symbol

noun · 1 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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1

noun

Meaning 1

For a surface with parametrization ⃑x(u,v), and letting i,j,k∈u,v, the Christoffel symbol Γijk is the component of the second derivative ⃑x_ij in the direction of the first derivative ⃑x_k, and it encodes information about the surface's curvature. Thus,

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Qualifier: differential geometry

Examples

  • ⃑x_uu\⃑x_uv\⃑x_vv=ΓuuuΓuuvl\ΓuvuΓuvvm\ΓvvuΓvvvn⃑x_u\⃑x_v\⃑n

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

History

Etymology

Named for Elwin Bruno Christoffel (1829–1900).

Across languages

Translations

1 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • Bulgarian: символ на Кристофел (simvol na Kristofel) — component of second derivative