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

This week, researchers from the DNA testing company 23andMe published a paper in Nature Genetics suggesting that those infected with the virus who possess a certain genetic locus were 11 percent more likely to lose their sense of taste or smell.

From Popular-Science

The personas you’ve created can act as the locus of the content topic universe, enabling you to brainstorm themes that are specific to that type of customer.

From Search Engine Land

For small to mid-sized rooms at middle-to-mildly loud volumes, bookshelf speakers stand at the locus between price, footprint, and performance, while also presenting an enormous amount of options in the price range, design, and features.

From Popular-Science

The points in the resulting locus were all the same distance away from the intersection.

From FiveThirtyEight

Today, conservative media isn’t just a locus of power on the right.

From Washington Post

With Mitch McConnell soon to be in charge, look for the Senate to become the locus of attacks on campaign finance reform.

From The Daily Beast

The 18th Street Gang was named after the locus of its birth in the Ramparts section.

From The Daily Beast

This question of accountability has interesting links with the theory of “locus of control.”

From The Daily Beast

He despised it for showing war not as an arena of bravery and honor but as a locus of dread and fear.

From The Daily Beast

At the locus of policy on peace, territory and Palestinians, the picture is worse.

From The Daily Beast

Thus we find even in medival times, Westminster alluded to by monkish writers as a locus terribilis or sacred place.

From Project Gutenberg

Est hic insignis locus, si quis alius est in toto Paulo: proinde diligenter excutere singulas particulas convenit.

From Project Gutenberg

The evolute of a curve is the curve which is the envelope of all its normals or the locus of all its centres of curvature.

From Project Gutenberg

Nec mora, condicitur pugn locus, eidemque stata temporis meta prfigitur.

From Project Gutenberg

Vnde locus ille hoc nomine Anglico Qualmhul, a strage uidelicet et sepultura interfectorum merito meruit intitulari.

From Project Gutenberg