sine

[ sahyn ]

noun

1. Trigonometry.
   1. (in a right triangle) the ratio of the side opposite a given acute angle to the hypotenuse.
   2. (of an angle) a trigonometric function equal to the ratio of the ordinate of the end point of the arc to the radius vector of this end point, the origin being at the center of the circle on which the arc lies and the initial point of the arc being on the x-axis. : sin
2. Geometry. (originally) a perpendicular line drawn from one extremity of an arc of a circle to the diameter that passes through its other extremity.
3. Mathematics. (of a real or complex number x ) the function sin x defined by the infinite series x − ( x 3 /3!) + ( x 5 /5!) − + …, where ! denotes factorial. Compare cosine ( def 2 ), factorial ( def 1 ).

sine

¹

/ ˈsaɪnɪ /

preposition

1. (esp in Latin phrases or legal terms) lacking; without

sine

²

/ saɪn /

noun

1. sin
   1. a trigonometric function that in a right-angled triangle is the ratio of the length of the opposite side to that of the hypotenuse
   2. a function that in a circle centred at the origin of a Cartesian coordinate system is the ratio of the ordinate of a point on the circumference to the radius of the circle

sine

/ sīn /

1. The ratio of the length of the side opposite an acute angle in a right triangle to the length of the hypotenuse.
2. The ordinate of the endpoint of an arc of a unit circle centered at the origin of a Cartesian coordinate system, the arc being of length x and measured counterclockwise from the point (1, 0) if x is positive or clockwise if x is negative.
3. A function of a number x , equal to the sine of an angle whose measure in radians is equal to x.

Word History and Origins

Origin of sine¹

1585–95; < New Latin, Latin sinus a curve, fold, pocket, translation of Arabic jayb literally, pocket, by folk etymology < Sanskrit jiyā, jyā chord of an arc, literally, bowstring

Word History and Origins

Origin of sine¹

C16: from Latin sinus a bend; in New Latin, sinus was mistaken as a translation of Arabic jiba sine (from Sanskrit jīva, literally: bowstring) because of confusion with Arabic jaib curve

Example Sentences

Music can be represented as a bunch of sine waves, and each sine wave has its own particular frequency.

From Popular-Science

In contrast, some inexpensive models output a simulated sine wave form, which can be problematic for some higher-end gaming laptops and audio gear.

From Popular-Science

That accumulation of identities is already a sine qua non when speaking of Hispanics, like Zimmerman.

From The Daily Beast

In the land of the industrial revolution, foreign ownership and management is the sine qua non of industrial success.

From The Daily Beast

This unsmoked, wet-cured ham is the sine qua non of Parisian butcher shops: a light, ephemeral meat, sweet but umami.

From The Daily Beast

It teaches you to take your time, or as the Germans call it, it gives you "Ruhe (repose)," the grand sine qua non!

From Project Gutenberg

Vnica hc adest D. Potrincurtij familia, sine feminis capita sumus viginti.

From Project Gutenberg

Multa erat in Nov Franci messis, ubi incol pene belluarum more sine Numinis cognitione vivebant.

From Project Gutenberg

Habemus hic Petronium integrum, quem vidi meis oculis non sine admiratione.

From Project Gutenberg

O pulerae sine luxes aedes, vitaeque decore Splendida paupertas ingenuusque pudor!

From Project Gutenberg