# abscissa

> English word · Noun · IPA /æbˈsɪs.ə/

## Definitions
1. The first of the two terms by which a point is referred to, in a system of fixed rectilinear coordinate (Cartesian coordinate) axes.
2. The horizontal line representing an axis of a Cartesian coordinate system, on which the abscissa (sense above) is shown.

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

## Source
Compiled from Wiktionary via kaikki.org (CC BY-SA). Data vintage: 2026-05-06.
Canonical page: https://plainspell.com/en/word/abscissa