Abscissa
(Science: geometry) One of the elements of reference by which a point, as of a curve, is referred to a system of fixed rectilineal coordinate axes.
When referred to two intersecting axes, one of them called the axis of abscissas, or of X, and the other the axis of ordinates, or of Y, the abscissa of the point is the distance cut off from the axis of X by a line drawn through it and parallel to the axis of Y. When a point in space is referred to three axes having a common intersection, the abscissa may be the distance measured parallel to either of them, from the point to the plane of the other two axes. Abscissas and ordinates taken together are called coordinates. Ox or PY is the abscissa of the point P of the curve, OY or PX its ordinate, the intersecting lines ox and OY being the axes of abscissas and ordinates respectively, and the point O their origin.
Origin: L, fem. Of abscissus, p. P. Of absindere to cut of. See Abscind.
Dictionary > Abscissa
You will also like...
Freshwater Community Energy Relationships – Producers & Consumers
This tutorial looks at the relationship between organisms. It also explores how energy is passed on in the food chain an..
Freshwater Producers and Consumers
Freshwater ecosystem is comprised of four major constituents, namely elements and compounds, plants, consumers, and deco..
Seed Plants
Seed plants are vascular plants. They differ from the other vascular plants in producing seeds that germinate into a new..
Vascular Plants: Ferns and Relatives
Ferns and their relatives are vascular plants, meaning they have xylem and phloem tissues. Because of the presence of va..
Origins of Life on Earth
Earth was created around 4.5 billion years ago and life began not long after. Primitive life likely possessed the elemen..
Muscle
Muscle cells are specialized to generate force and movement. Learn about the different types of muscle tissues in this t..