locus

[loh-kuhs]

noun

plural

loci, loca 

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

plural

loci 

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