latus rectum

American  

[ley-tuhs rek-tuhm] / ˈleɪ təs ˈrɛk təm /

noun

Geometry.

plural

latera recta

1. the chord perpendicular to the principal axis and passing through a focus of an ellipse, parabola, or hyperbola.

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latus rectum British  

/ ˈlɑːtəs ˈrɛktəm /

noun

1. geometry a chord that passes through the focus of a conic and is perpendicular to the major axis

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Etymology

Origin of latus rectum

1695–1705; < New Latin: literally, straight side

Example Sentences

“The focal chord perpendicular to the axis of the parabola is called the latus rectum,” it says on Page 702.

From Washington Post

It goes on to tell Florida’s children to “find the length of the latus rectum.”

From Washington Post

In fundo pelvis femineae septum est a latere in latus, rectum inter et vesicam urinariam, et in medio hujus partitionis uterus, qui piroformis est, quasi ad perpendiculum jacet et cervix sua in vaginam intrat.

From Project Gutenberg