The term 'curved path' can refer to a variety of different shapes. The crossword solutions ARC (3 letters), ORBIT (5 letters), and ESS (3 letters) all refer to curved paths. An ARC is a curved line that is part of the circumference of a circle or other shape. An ORBIT is a curved path that an object follows around another object, such as a planet orbiting the sun. An ESS is a curved path that is shaped like the letter S.