locus
[ loh-kuh s ]
/ ˈloʊ kəs /
noun, plural lo·ci [loh-sahy, -kee, -kahy] /ˈloʊ saɪ, -ki, -kaɪ/, lo·ca [loh-kuh] /ˈloʊ kə/.
a place; locality.
a center or source, as of activities or power: locus of control.
Mathematics. the set of all points, lines, or surfaces that satisfy a given requirement.
Genetics. the chromosomal position of a gene as determined by its linear order relative to the other genes on that chromosome.
RELATED WORDS
bearing, habit, strait, site, attitude, manner, pass, plight, port, mien, deportment, arrangement, state, location, emplacement, form, pose, spot, disposition, condition
Nearby words
Origin of locus
1525–35; < Latin; OL stlocus a place
Definition for locus (2 of 4)
locus classicus
[ loh-koo s klahs-si-koo s; English loh-kuh s klas-i-kuh s ]
/ ˈloʊ kʊs ˈklɑs sɪˌkʊs; English ˈloʊ kəs ˈklæs ɪ kəs /
noun, plural lo·ci clas·si·ci [loh-kee klahs-si-kee; English loh-sahy klas-uh-sahy, loh-kahy klas-i-kahy] /ˈloʊ ki ˈklɑs sɪˌki; English ˈloʊ saɪ ˈklæs əˌsaɪ, ˈloʊ kaɪ ˈklæs ɪˌkaɪ/. Latin.
classical source: a passage commonly cited to illustrate or explain a subject or word.
Definition for locus (3 of 4)
locus in quo
[ loh-koo s in kwoh; English loh-kuh s in kwoh ]
/ ˈloʊ kʊs ɪn ˈkwoʊ; English ˈloʊ kəs ɪn ˈkwoʊ /
noun Latin.
the place in which; the very place; the scene of the event.
Definition for locus (4 of 4)
locus sigilli
[ loh-koo s see-geel-lee; English loh-kuh s si-jil-ahy ]
/ ˈloʊ kʊs siˈgil li; English ˈloʊ kəs sɪˈdʒɪl aɪ /
noun, plural lo·ci si·gil·li [loh-kee see-geel-lee; English loh-sahy si-jil-ahy, loh-kahy] /ˈloʊ ki siˈgil li; English ˈloʊ saɪ sɪˈdʒɪl aɪ, ˈloʊ kaɪ/. Latin.
See L.S.(def 3).
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019
Examples from the Web for locus
British Dictionary definitions for locus (1 of 3)
locus
/ (ˈləʊkəs) /
noun plural loci (ˈləʊsaɪ)
(in many legal phrases) a place or area, esp the place where something occurred
maths a set of points whose location satisfies or is determined by one or more specified conditionsthe locus of points equidistant from a given point is a circle
genetics the position of a particular gene on a chromosome
Word Origin for locus
C18: Latin
British Dictionary definitions for locus (2 of 3)
locus classicus
/ (ˈklæsɪkəs) /
noun plural loci classici (ˈklæsɪˌsaɪ)
an authoritative and often quoted passage from a standard work
Word Origin for locus classicus
Latin: classical place
British Dictionary definitions for locus (3 of 3)
locus sigilli
/ (sɪˈdʒɪlaɪ) /
noun plural loci sigilli
the place to which the seal is affixed on legal documents, etc
Word Origin for locus sigilli
Latin
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Word Origin and History for locus
locus
(plural loci), 1715, "locality," from Latin locus "a place, spot, position," from Old Latin stlocus, literally "where something is placed," from PIE root *st(h)el- "to cause to stand, to place." Used by Latin writers for Greek topos. Mathematical sense by 1750.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
Medicine definitions for locus
locus
[ lō′kəs ]
n. pl. lo•ci (-sī′, -kē, -kī′)
A place; site.
The position that a given gene occupies on a chromosome.
The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Science definitions for locus
locus
[ lō′kəs ]
Plural loci (lō′sī′, -kē, -kī′)
The set or configuration of all points whose coordinates satisfy a single equation or one or more algebraic conditions.
The position that a given gene occupies on a chromosome.
The American Heritage® Science Dictionary
Copyright © 2011. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
Culture definitions for locus
locus
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.
The New Dictionary of Cultural Literacy, Third Edition
Copyright © 2005 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.