locus

[ loh-kuhs ]

noun

, plural lo·ci [loh, -sahy, -kee, -kahy], lo·ca [loh, -k, uh].

1. a place; locality.
2. a center or source, as of activities or power:

   locus of control.

3. Mathematics. the set of all points, lines, or surfaces that satisfy a given requirement.
4. Genetics. the chromosomal position of a gene as determined by its linear order relative to the other genes on that chromosome.

locus

/ ˈləʊkəs /

noun

1. (in many legal phrases) a place or area, esp the place where something occurred
2. maths a set of points whose location satisfies or is determined by one or more specified conditions

   the locus of points equidistant from a given point is a circle

3. genetics the position of a particular gene on a chromosome

locus

/ lō′kəs /

, Plural loci lō′sī′,-kē,-kī′

1. The set or configuration of all points whose coordinates satisfy a single equation or one or more algebraic conditions.
2. The position that a given gene occupies on a chromosome.

locus

1. plur. loci ( loh -seye, loh -keye) In geometry , the set of all points (and only those points) that satisfy certain conditions; these points form a curve or figure. For example, the locus of all points in space one foot from a given point is a sphere having a radius of one foot and having its center at the given point. The locus of all points in a plane one foot from a given point is a circle having a radius of one foot and having its center at the given point.

Word History and Origins

Origin of locus¹

First recorded in 1525–35; from Latin; Old Latin stlocus “a place”

Word History and Origins

Origin of locus¹

C18: Latin

Example Sentences

The cable news landscape has long been a locus of information overload, which only accelerated during Trump’s first presidency.

From Salon

The locus is always the president’s unspooling brain, but the precise navigation is left to the actors.

From Los Angeles Times

And as the culture wars became a right-wing obsession, the locus of coercion and violence was transferred from foreign crusades to domestic soil.

From Salon

“And it can be a real locus for conspiracy theories, further undermining confidence of voters and election results.”

From Salon

Hope springs from empowerment, feeling a sense of personal agency as the locus of control shifts from the outside in.

From Salon