Abscissas

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. A term referring to the horizontal position on a two-dimensional coordinate system that indicates where a point lies in relation to the x-axis
2. The value that specifies the horizontal placement of a point within a Cartesian plane
3. A number representing how far along the x-axis a certain point is located in two-dimensional space

Etymology: "Abscissas" is simply the plural of "abscissa," so its history is that of the singular. The term comes from Latin "linea abscissa," meaning "cut-off line," where "abscissa" is the feminine form of "abscissus," the past participle of "abscindere," "to cut off." The Latin phrase was shortened by ellipsis, dropping "linea" and leaving only the feminine adjective, so the noun came to stand alone for the line segment cut off from a reference point. The Latin verb "abscindere" combines "ab-," "away from," with "scindere," "to cut or split," which is also the source of words like "rescind," meaning to cut back or annul. In geometry, the measurement is literally a distance cut off from a fixed origin along a line, and the horizontal distance of a point from the vertical axis is that cut-off length. The plural "abscissas" is the form used when more than one such value is being discussed.

Synonyms: x-coordinates