Phrase guide

surface normal

noun · 3 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.

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Pronunciation

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1

noun

Meaning 1

A unit vector at any given point P of a surface M which is perpendicular to the tangent plane T_P(M) of M at P. For a surface with parametrization ⃑x(u,v), it is given by

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Qualifier: differential geometry

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

2

noun

Meaning 2

A unit vector at any given point P of a surface M which is perpendicular to the tangent plane T_P(M) of M at P. For a surface with parametrization ⃑x(u,v), it is given by ⃑n=±⃑x_u×⃑x_v/ lVert ⃑x_u×⃑x_v rVert where the sign can be chosen at will.

⃑n=±⃑x_u×⃑x_v/ lVert ⃑x_u×⃑x_v rVert

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Qualifier: differential geometry

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

3

noun

Meaning 3

A unit vector at any given point P of a surface M which is perpendicular to the tangent plane T_P(M) of M at P. For a surface with parametrization ⃑x(u,v), it is given by ⃑n=±⃑x_u×⃑x_v/ lVert ⃑x_u×⃑x_v rVert where the sign can be chosen at will.

where the sign can be chosen at will.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Qualifier: differential geometry

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

History

Etymology

No etymology was provided for this word.