spherical coordinate

noun

Mathematics.

1. Usually spherical coordinates any of three coordinates used to locate a point in space by the length of its radius vector and the angles this vector makes with two perpendicular polar planes.

spherical coordinate

1. Any of a set of coordinates in a three-dimensional system for locating points in space by means of a radius vector and two angles measured from the center of a sphere with respect to two arbitrary, fixed, perpendicular directions.

Word History and Origins

Origin of spherical coordinate¹

First recorded in 1860–65

Example Sentences

“It could be providing a spherical coordinate system that the animal could use for spatial positioning,” he said.

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