abscissa

[ ab-sis-uh ]

noun

, Mathematics.

, plural ab·scis·sas, ab·scis·sae [ab-, sis, -ee].

1. (in plane Cartesian coordinates) the x-coordinate of a point: its distance from the y-axis measured parallel to the x-axis.

abscissa

/ æbˈsɪsə /

noun

1. the horizontal or x -coordinate of a point in a two-dimensional system of Cartesian coordinates. It is the distance from the y -axis measured parallel to the x -axis Compare ordinate

abscissa

/ ăb-sĭs′ə /

, Plural abscissas ăb-sĭs′ē

1. The distance of a point from the y-axis on a graph in the Cartesian coordinate system. It is measured parallel to the x-axis. For example, a point having coordinates (2,3) has 2 as its abscissa.
2. Compare ordinate

Word History and Origins

Origin of abscissa¹

1690–1700; feminine of Latin abscissus (past participle of abscindere to abscind )

Word History and Origins

Origin of abscissa¹

C17: New Latin, originally linea abscissa a cut-off line

Example Sentences

The lowest ERK2 concentration at which the mass signal of the compound was still observed is shown on the abscissa.

From Nature

By the end of the day, the sand is crisscrossed with a mesh of ordinates, abscissas, curves to account for everything in nature.

From Literature

Conversely, knowing the volumetric ratios, compression pressure can be read directly by proceeding from the scale of abscissas vertically to the curve and thence horizontally to the scale of ordinates.

From Project Gutenberg

Two lines or axes at right angles to each other are chosen, intersecting at a point called the origin; the horizontal axis is the axis of abscissae, the vertical one the axis of ordinates.

From Project Gutenberg

Curves have been prepared having pressure as an abscissa and elasticity as ordinate.

From Project Gutenberg