abscissa

noun

ab·scis·sa ab-ˈsi-sə

plural abscissas also abscissae ab-ˈsi-(ˌ)sē

: the horizontal coordinate of a point in a plane Cartesian coordinate system obtained by measuring parallel to the x-axis compare ordinate

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from New Latin (short for linea abscissa, literally, "cut-off line"), going back to Latin, feminine of abscissus, past participle of abscindere "to tear off or away," from ab- ab- + scindere "to split, separate, tear apart," going back to Indo-European *ski-n-d-, nasal present formation from the base *skei̯̯d- "split, separate" — more at shed entry 1

First Known Use

1694, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler

The first known use of abscissa was in 1694

See more words from the same year

Cite this Entry

Style

“Abscissa.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/abscissa. Accessed 22 Nov. 2024.

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Kids Definition

abscissa

noun

ab·scis·sa ab-ˈsis-ə

: the number in an ordered pair of numbers (as x in (x, y)) that gives the location of a point along the x-axis

called also x-coordinate

compare ordinate

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abscissa

noun

Illustration of abscissa

Word History

Dictionary Entries Near abscissa

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Kids Definition