abscissan.
/əbˈsɪsə/, /abˈsɪsə/, U.S. /æbˈsɪsə/ Mathematics.† 1. The portion of a conic section lying between its points of intersection with two parallel chords; (also) the portion of the axis of symmetry of a conic section lying between its vertex and a given chord. Cf. ordinate n. 1. Obsolete.
ΘΚΠ
the world > relative properties > number > geometry > geometric space > [noun] > division or marking of > axis > part of
absciss1692
abscissa1694
subtangent1702
subnormal1704
subsecant1734
1694 Philos. Trans. (Royal Soc.) 18 114 He concludes..with a Discourse concerning the Analytical Expression of Quadratures, wherein it is shewn, that though the Area answering to the Abscissa be that which is commonly sought, yet the general Quadrature found by his method, is for the most part either greater or lesser.
1707 J. Ward Young Mathematician's Guide iv. iii. 377 Its Distance from the Vertex of the Parabola may be easily found, either by the Latus Rectum it self, or by any other Ordinate and its Abscissa.
1710 J. Harris Lexicon Technicum II. at Paraboloid Suppose the Parameter multiply'd into the Square of the Abscissa to be equal to the Cube of the Ordinate; that is, pxx = y3. Then the Curve is called a Semicubical Paraboloid.
1798 Philos. Trans. (Royal Soc.) 88 7 It was found to be a very accurate parabola, the abscissa of which was 13·85 in.
2. In Cartesian coordinates: the distance of a point from the y-axis, measured parallel to the x-axis; the x-coordinate of a point. Formerly also: †a straight line drawn from a given point parallel to the x-axis and meeting the y-axis (obsolete). Cf. ordinate n. 2.
ΘΚΠ
the world > relative properties > number > geometry > geometric space > [noun] > division or marking of > axis > of coordinates > co-ordinate > in specific direction
X1660
Z1660
Y1728
abscissa1756
ordinate1855
1756 Philos. Trans. 1755 (Royal Soc.) 49 13 If together with the ordinate..the abscissa, at the end of the fluent, be given likewise, and the superficies generated by the revolution of the curve about its axis be a Minimum; then [etc.].
1769 Philos. Trans. 1768 (Royal Soc.) 58 174 The space it has passed over at the end of any given time..will be expressed by the area of the curve, whose ordinate expresses the velocity of the body, whilst the time it has been in motion is expressed by the corresponding abscissa.
1841 J. R. Young Math Diss. i. 10 In what directions the positive abscissas and the positive ordinates are usually taken.
1855 I. Todhunter Treat. Plane Co-ordinate Geom. i. 2 OM is called the abscissa of the point P; and ON, or its equal MP, is called the ordinate of P.
1871 B. Stewart Heat (ed. 2) §141 Let us..reckon the temperatures along a line of abscissae after the manner represented in the figure.
1918 V. H. Laughter Operator's Wireless & Telephone Handbk. xi. 177 The impressed E.M.F.'s are plotted as ordinates against the resultant currents as abscissas.
1971 W. Percy in Southern Rev. Spring 575 The time-line, the x-coordinate, the abscissa runs from left to right, from past to future.
2002 Econ. & Polit. Weekly 20 Apr. 1556/1 LDC is enclosed in a rectangle by duration of 8,760 hours along the abscissa and maximum peak load during the year along the ordinate.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, September 2009; most recently modified version published online December 2021).
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n.1694