minimal surface

noun — 2 senses

minimal surface

noun
1

Mathematics, Sciences Any surface that has the least possible surface area of those into which it could transform; typically the shapes of soap bubbles that span wire frames

2

Mathematics, Sciences Any surface of vanishing mean curvature. Includes, but is not restricted to, surfaces of minimal area, as given by some boundary conditions.

Entry derived from the Wiktionary, under licence CC BY-SA 4.0 — list of authors.