abscissa

noun

ab·​scis·​sa ab-ˈsi-sə How to pronounce abscissa (audio)
plural abscissas also abscissae ab-ˈsi-(ˌ)sē How to pronounce abscissa (audio)
: the horizontal coordinate of a point in a plane Cartesian coordinate system obtained by measuring parallel to the x-axis compare ordinate

Illustration of abscissa

Illustration of abscissa
  • AP abscissa of point P

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

Dictionary Entries Near abscissa

absciss

abscissa

abscissio infiniti

See More Nearby Entries 

Cite this Entry

“Abscissa.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/abscissa. Accessed 8 Oct. 2024.

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Kids Definition

abscissa

noun
ab·​scis·​sa ab-ˈsis-ə How to pronounce abscissa (audio)
: 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

More from Merriam-Webster on abscissa

Nglish: Translation of abscissa for Spanish Speakers

Last Updated: - Definition revised
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