ax·is

(ăk′sĭs)

n. pl. ax·es (ăk′sēz′)

1. A straight line about which a body or geometric object rotates or may be conceived to rotate.

2. Mathematics

a. An unlimited line, half-line, or line segment serving to orient a space or a geometric object, especially a line about which the object is symmetric.

b. A reference line from which distances or angles are measured in a coordinate system.

3. A center line to which parts of a structure or body may be referred.

4. An imaginary line to which elements of a work of art, such as a picture, are referred for measurement or symmetry.

5. Anatomy

a. The second cervical vertebra on which the head turns.

b. Any of various central structures, such as the spinal column, or standard abstract lines used as a positional referent.

6. Botany The main stem or central part about which organs or plant parts such as branches are arranged.

7. One of three mutually perpendicular lines that define the orientation of an aircraft, with one being along its direction of travel and the other two being perpendicular to the direction of travel.

8. A line through the optical center of a lens that is perpendicular to both its surfaces.

9. One of three or four imaginary lines used to define the faces of a crystal and the position of its atoms.

10.

a. An alliance of powers, such as nations, to promote mutual interests and policies.

b. Axis The alliance of Germany and Italy in 1936, later including Japan and other nations, that opposed the Allies in World War II.

[Middle English, from Latin.]

American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

axis

(ˈæksɪs)

n, pl axes (ˈæksiːz)

1. (Mathematics) a real or imaginary line about which a body, such as an aircraft, can rotate or about which an object, form, composition, or geometrical construction is symmetrical

2. (Mathematics) one of two or three reference lines used in coordinate geometry to locate a point in a plane or in space

3. (Anatomy) anatomy the second cervical vertebra. Compare atlas³

4. (Botany) botany the main central part of a plant, typically consisting of the stem and root, from which secondary branches and other parts develop

5. (Government, Politics & Diplomacy) an alliance between a number of states to coordinate their foreign policy

6. (General Physics) optics Also called: principal axis the line of symmetry of an optical system, such as the line passing through the centre of a lens

7. (Geological Science) geology an imaginary line along the crest of an anticline or the trough of a syncline

8. (General Physics) crystallog one of three lines passing through the centre of a crystal and used to characterize its symmetry

[C14: from Latin: axletree, earth's axis; related to Greek axōn axis]

axis

(ˈæksɪs)

n, pl axises

(Animals) any of several S Asian deer of the genus Axis, esp A. axis. They typically have a reddish-brown white-spotted coat and slender antlers

[C18: from Latin: Indian wild animal, of uncertain identity]

Axis

(ˈæksɪs)

(Historical Terms)

a. the Axis the alliance of Nazi Germany, Fascist Italy, and Japan, established in 1936 and lasting until their defeat in World War II

b. (as modifier): the Axis powers.

Collins English Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged, 12th Edition 2014 © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1994, 1998, 2000, 2003, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2011, 2014

ax•is

(ˈæk sɪs)

n., pl. ax•es (ˈæk siz)

1. the line about which a rotating body, such as the earth, turns.

a. a central line that bisects a two-dimensional body or figure.

b. a line about which a three-dimensional body or figure is symmetrical.

c. any line used as a fixed reference for determining the position of a point or series of points, as the x- or y-axis in a system of Cartesian coordinates.

3. Anat.

a. a central or principal structure about which something turns or is arranged: the skeletal axis.

b. the second cervical vertebra.

4. Bot.

a. the main support of a plant; the stem and root.

b. the main support of an inflorescence.

5. an imaginary line, in a given formal structure, about which a form, area, or plane is organized.

6. the Axis, (in World War II) the nations that fought against the Allies: Germany, Italy, Japan, and others.

7. an alliance of two or more nations to coordinate their foreign and military policies.

8. a principal line of development, movement, etc.

[1540–50; < Latin axis an axletree, axle, axis; Greek áxōn, Sktákṣas]

ax·is

(ăk′sĭs)

Plural axes (ăk′sēz′)

1. An imaginary line around which an object rotates. In a rotating sphere, such as the Earth and other planets, the two ends of the axis are called poles.

2. Mathematics

a. A line, ray, or line segment with respect to which a figure or object is symmetrical.

b. In the Cartesian coordinate system, one of the reference lines from which or along which distances or angles are measured: the x-axis.

3. Anatomy The second cervical vertebra on which the head turns.

4. Botany The main stem or central part of a plant, about which plant parts, such as branches, are arranged.

axial adjective

The American Heritage® Student Science Dictionary, Second Edition. Copyright © 2014 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

axis

In land warfare, the general direction of movement, planned or achieved, usually between assigned boundaries.

Dictionary of Military and Associated Terms. US Department of Defense 2005.

Axis

the association of the countries that formed the German/Italian/Japanese alliance in World War II.

axis

A national alliance to co-ordinate foreign policy, specifically the pact between Hitler and Mussolini in 1937.

ThesaurusAntonymsRelated WordsSynonymsLegend:

Noun	1.	axis - a straight line through a body or figure that satisfies certain conditions coordinate axis - one of the fixed reference lines of a coordinate system major axis - the longest axis of an ellipse or ellipsoid; passes through the two foci semimajor axis - one-half the major axis of an ellipse; the distance from the center of an ellipse to one end minor axis - the shorter or shortest axis of an ellipse or ellipsoid semiminor axis - one-half the minor axis of an ellipse principal axis, optic axis - a line that passes through the center of curvature of a lens so that light is neither reflected nor refracted; "in a normal eye the optic axis is the direction in which objects are seen most distinctly" optic axis - in a doubly refracting crystal, the line in the direction of which no double refraction occurs; "a crystal may have either one or two optic axes" line - a spatial location defined by a real or imaginary unidimensional extent
	2.	axis - the main stem or central part about which plant organs or plant parts such as branches are arranged stele - the usually cylindrical central vascular portion of the axis of a vascular plant rachis - axis of a compound leaf or compound inflorescence stalk, stem - a slender or elongated structure that supports a plant or fungus or a plant part or plant organ spadix - the fleshy axis of a spike often surrounded by a spathe
	3.	Axis - in World War II the alliance of Germany and Italy in 1936 which later included Japan and other nations; "the Axis opposed the Allies in World War II" alignment, alinement, coalition, alliance - an organization of people (or countries) involved in a pact or treaty
	4.	axis - a group of countries in special alliance bloc alignment, alinement, coalition, alliance - an organization of people (or countries) involved in a pact or treaty scheduled territories, sterling area, sterling bloc - the group of countries whose currencies are tied to the British pound sterling
	5.	axis - the 2nd cervical vertebra; serves as a pivot for turning the head axis vertebra cervical vertebra, neck bone - one of 7 vertebrae in the human spine located in the neck region odontoid process - a toothlike process at the back of 2nd vertebra of the neck
	6.	axis - the center around which something rotates axis of rotation mechanism - device consisting of a piece of machinery; has moving parts that perform some function pivot, pin - axis consisting of a short shaft that supports something that turns rotor head, rotor shaft - the axis around which the major rotor of a helicopter turns

axis

noun pivot, shaft, axle, spindle, centre line the axis of the Earth

Collins Thesaurus of the English Language – Complete and Unabridged 2nd Edition. 2002 © HarperCollins Publishers 1995, 2002

Translations

مِحْوَرمِحْوَرالأرض

osa

akse

Achse Welle

άξονας

Eje

telg

akseli

axe axis essieu

osa

tengely

ásmöndull, öxull

asse alleanza

축

ašis

ass

axel

轴轴线

axis

[ˈæksɪs] N (axes (pl)) [ˈæksiːz]

1. (Geom etc) → eje m

2. (Anat) → axis m inv

3. the Axis (Hist) → el Eje

Collins Spanish Dictionary - Complete and Unabridged 8th Edition 2005 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1971, 1988 © HarperCollins Publishers 1992, 1993, 1996, 1997, 2000, 2003, 2005

axis

[ˈæksɪs] [axes] (pl) n → axe m

axis

n pl <axes> → Achse f; the Axis (powers) (Hist) → die Achse, die Achsenmächte pl

Collins German Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged 7th Edition 2005. © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1980 © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1997, 1999, 2004, 2005, 2007

Axis

[ˈæksɪs] n the Axis → l'Asse

axis

[ˈæksɪs] n (axes (pl)) [ˈæksiːz] (Geom) (of the earth) → asse m

axis

(ˈӕksis) – plural axes (ˈӕksiːz) – noun

1. the real or imaginary line on which a thing turns (as the axis of the earth, from North Pole to South Pole, around which the earth turns).

2. a fixed line used as a reference, as in a graph. He plotted the temperatures on the horizontal axis.

axis

n (pl axes) eje m

Mentioned in

References in classic literature

"The screw consists of an axis of hollow brass tube, eighteen inches in length, through which, upon a semi-spiral inclined at fifteen degrees, pass a series of steel wire radii, two feet long, and thus projecting a foot on either side.

In the same way, the angle formed by the rope with the vertical axis of the machine, indicates the velocity.

The steel rod connecting the spring with the propeller was suddenly jerked out of place, at the car end, (by a swaying of the car through some movement of one of the two seamen we had taken up,) and in an instant hung dangling out of reach, from the pivot of the axis of the screw.

View in context

It consists of a thin, straight, fleshy stem, with alternate rows of polypi on each side, and surrounding an elastic stony axis, varying in length from eight inches to two feet.

It was very different from the circulation of the fluid in the elastic bag, containing the thin extremity of the axis. On other occasions, when dissecting small marine animals beneath the microscope, I have seen particles of pulpy matter, some of large size, as soon as they were disengaged, commence revolving.

View in context

This center, formed of indefinite molecules, began to revolve around its own axis during its gradual condensation; then, following the immutable laws of mechanics, in proportion as its bulk diminished by condensation, its rotary motion became accelerated, and these two effects continuing, the result was the formation of one principal star, the center of the nebulous mass.

In fact, he would have perceived this sun, as yet in the gaseous state, and composed of moving molecules, revolving round its axis in order to accomplish its work of concentration.

View in context

And suppose the objector to refine still further, and to draw the nice distinction that not only parts of tops, but whole tops, when they spin round with their pegs fixed on the spot, are at rest and in motion at the same time (and he may say the same of anything which revolves in the same spot), his objection would not be admitted by us, because in such cases things are not at rest and in motion in the same parts of themselves; we should rather say that they have both an axis and a circumference, and that the axis stands still, for there is no deviation from the perpendicular; and that the circumference goes round.

View in context

Towards the stern of the boat it is spirally coiled away in the tub, not like the worm-pipe of a still though, but so as to form one round, cheese-shaped mass of densely bedded sheaves, or layers of concentric spiralizations, without any hollow but the heart, or minute vertical tube formed at the axis of the cheese.

View in context

The earth's great axis spinning on, The never-resting pole of sky -- Let us resolve their Whence and Why, And blend with all things into One; Beyond the bounds of thought and dream, Circling the vasty void as spheres Whose orbits round a thousand years: Behold the Key that fits my theme.

View in context

A straight line drawn through the axis of the piece would have passed through the center of the orb of night.

View in context