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

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

The abscissa of the F.P. curve represents the composition of that portion of the original solution which remains liquid at any temperature.

From Project Gutenberg