abscissa

American  

[ab-sis-uh] / æbˈsɪs ə /

noun

Mathematics.

plural

abscissas, abscissae

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

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abscissa British  

/ 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

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abscissa Scientific  

/ ăb-sĭs′ə /

plural

abscissas

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

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Etymology

Origin of abscissa

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

Compare meaning

How does abscissa compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

• ordinate vs. abscissa

Example Sentences

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

From Nature • Apr. 22, 2018

Any such event is represented with respect to the co-ordinate system K by the abscissa x and the time t, and with respect to the system K1 by the abscissa x' and the time t'.

From Relativity : the Special and General Theory by Lawson, Robert W. (Robert William)

The curve as a whole becomes, first slightly convex to the abscissa, then straight and ascending, and lastly concave.

From Response in the Living and Non-Living by Bose, Jagadis Chandra, Sir

The ordinate in these curves represents the E.M. variation, and the abscissa the time.

From Response in the Living and Non-Living by Bose, Jagadis Chandra, Sir

The distance along the horizontal line—or the abscissa, as a mathematician would call it—represents the date.

From The Story of the Heavens by Ball, Robert S. (Robert Stawell), Sir