Secant Definition

sēkănt, -kənt
noun
Any straight line intersecting a curve at two or more points.
Webster's New World
The straight line drawn from the center through one end of a circular arc and intersecting the tangent to the other end of the arc.
American Heritage
The ratio of the length of this line to the length of the radius of the circle.
American Heritage
The reciprocal of the cosine.
Webster's New World
Synonyms:
adjective
Cutting; intersecting.
Webster's New World

Other Word Forms of Secant

Noun

Singular:
secant
Plural:
secants

Origin of Secant

  • From Latin secāns secant- present participle of secāre to cut sek- in Indo-European roots

    From American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition

  • From Latin secans, present participle of secare (“to cut")

    From Wiktionary

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