The term 'curve upwards' can be described as a SPIRAL, which is a shape that winds around in a circular motion. It is a six-letter word that is often used to describe the shape of a staircase, a shell, or a tornado. In mathematics, a SPIRAL is a curve that moves away from a fixed point while continuously increasing in size. It is also used to describe the path of a planet or star as it orbits around a larger body.