from
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
Funicular \Fu*nic"u*lar\, a. [Cf. F. funiculaire.]
[1913 Webster]
1. Consisting of a small cord or fiber.
[1913 Webster]
2. Dependent on the tension of a cord.
[1913 Webster]
3. (Anat.) Pertaining to a funiculus; made up of, or
resembling, a funiculus, or funiculi; as, a funicular
ligament.
[1913 Webster]
{Funicular action} (Mech.), the force or action exerted by a
rope in drawing together the supports to which its ends
are Fastened, when acted upon by forces applied in a
direction transverse to the rope, as in the archer's bow.
{Funicular curve}. Same as {Catenary}.
{Funicular machine} (Mech.), an apparatus for illustrating
certain principles in statics, consisting of a cord or
chain attached at one end to a fixed point, and having the
other passed over a pulley and sustaining a weight, while
one or more other weights are suspended from the cord at
points between the fixed support and the pulley.
{Funicular polygon} (Mech.), the polygonal figure assumed by
a cord fastened at its extremities, and sustaining weights
at different points.
[1913 Webster]