ENGLISH
REFERENCE

abscissa

n.
C1 Advanced ab·scis·sa

n. the horizontal line on a graph used to show the position of a point. It is the first number in a pair of coordinates.

n. the horizontal coordinate in a two-dimensional system, typically representing the independent variable or the x-axis.


SIMPLE

The abscissa shows the time of day on this graph.

CONTEXTUAL

To plot the data correctly, you must ensure the abscissa represents the correct range of values.

COMPLEX

In the Cartesian plane, the abscissa is paired with the ordinate to define the exact location of a point relative to the origin.

Origin

By ellipsis from Latin [linea] abscissa, feminine of abscissus, perfect passive participle of abscindō (“cut off”). See abscind.

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