Definitions for abscissaæbˈsɪs ə; -ˈsɪs i
Random House Webster's College Dictionary
ab•scis•saæbˈsɪs ə; -ˈsɪs i(n.)(pl.)-scis•sas, -scis•sae
(in plane Cartesian coordinates) the x-coordinate of a point: its distance from the y-axis measured parallel to the x-axis.
Category: Math
Ref: Compare ordinate.
Origin of abscissa:
1690–1700; < L, fem. of abscissus, ptp. of abscindere to cut off =ab-ab-+scindere to divide, tear
Princeton's WordNet
abscissa(noun)
the value of a coordinate on the horizontal axis
Wiktionary
abscissa(Noun)
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.
The point uE000783uE001 has 3 as its abscissa and 2 as its ordinate.
Origin: First attested in the 1690's. From abscissa, feminine of abscissus, perfect passive participle of abscindo. Related to abscind.
Webster Dictionary
Abscissa(noun)
one of the elements of reference by which a point, as of a curve, is referred to a system of fixed rectilineal coordinate axes
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