a curve that crosses each meridian at the same angle
a line on the earth's surface that crosses all meridians at the same angle
a line on the surface of Earth which cross every meridian (line of longitude) at the same angle
a line on the surface of the Earth cutting all meridians at the same angle
a straight line on a Mercator projection
a straight line on the Mercator projection
A line constructed to cut all meridians of longitude at a constant angle; a straight line on a Mercator chart.
a direct line between two points
A line that crosses successive meridians at a constant angle.
a straight line compass course between two points
Technically, a course line that crosses all meridians at the same angle, but casually used to mean the straight line course between two points. On mercator projection charts, rhumb line courses are straight lines.
A line on the surface of the earth making the same angle with all meridians. Also called a loxodrome or line of constant compass bearing, it spirals toward the poles in a constant, true direction.
a line of true direction, which crosses meridians at a constant angle.
A line that passes through all meridians at the same angle. When drawn on a Mercator chart, the rhumb line is a straight line, because the Mercator chart is a distortion of a spherical globe on a flat surface. The rhumb line results in a longer course than a great circle route.
In navigation, a rhumb line (or loxodrome) is a line crossing all meridians at the same angle, i.e. a path of constant bearing. It is obviously easier to manually steer than the constantly changing heading of the shorter great circle route.