Abscissa Definition
(geometry) The first of the two terms by which a point is referred to, in a system of fixed rectilinear coordinate (Cartesian coordinate) axes. The abscissa is also known as the "x" coordinate of a point, shown on the horizontal line, with the ordinate, also known as the "y" coordinate, shown on the vertical line. [First attested in the late 17th century.]
Other Word Forms of Abscissa
Noun
Origin of Abscissa
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New Latin (līnea) abscissa (line) cut off from Latin abscissa feminine past participle of abscindere to abscise abscission
From American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition
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From Latin abscissa, feminine of abscissus, perfect passive participle of abscindō (“cut off”). See abscind.
From Wiktionary
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