ab·scis·sa ( b-s s  )n. Symbol x2 pl. ab·scis·sas or ab·scis·sae (-s s ) The coordinate representing the position of a point along a line perpendicular to the y-axis in a plane Cartesian coordinate system. [New Latin (l  nea) abscissa, (line) cut off, from Latin abscissa, feminine of abscissus, past participle of abscindere, to abscise; see abscise.] |   The coordinates for A are (4,3); the abscissa is 4. |
abscissa [æbˈsɪsə]
n pl -scissas, -scissae [-ˈsɪsiː]
(Mathematics) the horizontal or x-coordinate of a point in a two-dimensional system of Cartesian coordinates. It is the distance from the y-axis measured parallel to the x-axis Compare ordinate
[New Latin, originally linea abscissa a cut-off line]
| abscissa (b-ss) Plural abscissas or abscissae ( b-ss) The distance of a point from the y-axis on a graph in the Cartesian coordinate system. It is measured parallel to the x-axis. For example, a point having coordinates (2,3) has 2 as its abscissa. Compare ordinate. |  The coordinates for A are (4,3); the abscissa is 4. |
ordinate, abscissa - The ordinate or Y axis is vertical; the abscissa or X axis is horizontal.
See also related terms for vertical.
ThesaurusLegend: Synonyms Related Words Antonyms
| Noun | 1. |  abscissa - the value of a coordinate on the horizontal axisCartesian coordinate - one of the coordinates in a system of coordinates that locates a point on a plane or in space by its distance from two lines or three planes respectively; the two lines or the intersections of the three planes are the coordinate axes |
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