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axis

 - 10 dictionary results

ax⋅is

1  [ak-sis]
–noun, plural ax⋅es  [ak-seez] .
1. the line about which a rotating body, such as the earth, turns.
2. Mathematics.
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.
3. Anatomy.
a. a central or principal structure, about which something turns or is arranged: the skeletal axis.
b. the second cervical vertebra.
4. Botany. the longitudinal support on which organs or parts are arranged; the stem and root; the central line of any body.
5. Analytic Geometry. any line used as a fixed reference in conjunction with one or more other references for determining the position of a point or of a series of points forming a curve or a surface. Compare x-axis, y-axis.
6. Crystallography. crystallographic axis.
7. Aeronautics. any one of three lines defining the attitude of an airplane, one being generally determined by the direction of forward motion and the other two at right angles to it and to each other.
8. Fine Arts. an imaginary line, in a given formal structure, about which a form, area, or plane is organized.
9. an alliance of two or more nations to coordinate their foreign and military policies, and to draw in with them a group of dependent or supporting powers.
10. the Axis, (in World War II) Germany, Italy, and Japan, often with Bulgaria, Hungary, and Romania.
11. a principal line of development, movement, direction, etc.
Use axis in a Sentence
Origin:
1540–50; < L axis an axletree, axle, axis. See axi-

Related forms:
ax⋅ised  [ak-sist] , adjective

ax⋅is

2  [ak-sis]
–noun, plural ax⋅is⋅es.
axis deer.
Origin:
1595–1605; < L axis a wild animal of India (Pliny)

axis deer

 
–noun
an Asian deer, Cervus (Axis) axis, of India and Sri Lanka, having a reddish-brown coat spotted with white.
Also called axis, chital, spotted deer.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2010.
Cite This Source Link To axis
ax·is   (āk'sĭs)   
n.   pl. ax·es (āk'sēz')

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

  2. Mathematics

    1. 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.

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

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

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

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

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

  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

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

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

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

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

  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.

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

    2. 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.]
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Cultural Dictionary

axis

An imaginary straight line passing through the North Pole, the center of the Earth, and the South Pole. The Earth rotates around this axis.


axis

In geometry, a straight line about which an object may rotate or that divides an object into symmetrical halves.

Note: The axis of the Earth is an imaginary line drawn through the North Pole and the South Pole.
The American Heritage® New Dictionary of Cultural Literacy, Third Edition
Copyright © 2005 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
Cite This Source
Word Origin & History

axis 
1549, "imaginary straight line around which a body (such as the Earth) rotates," from L. axis "axle, pivot, axis of the earth or sky," from PIE *aks- "axis" (cf. O.E. eax, O.H.G. ahsa "axle," Gk. axon, Skt. aksah "an axle, axis, beam of a balance," Lith. aszis). Fig. sense in world history of "alliance between Germany and Italy" (later extended to include Japan) is from 1936.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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Medical Dictionary

Main Entry: ax·is
Pronunciation: 'ak-s&s
Function: noun
Inflected Form: plural ax·es /-"sEz/
1 a : astraight line about which a body or a geometric figure rotates or may be thought of as rotating b : a straight line with respect to which a body, organ, or figure is symmetrical
2 a : the second vertebra of the neck of the higher vertebrates that is prolonged anteriorly within the foramen of the first vertebra and united with the dens which serves as a pivotfor the atlas and head to turn upon called also epistropheus b : any of various central, fundamental, or axial parts axis> axis> c : AXILLA
Merriam-Webster's Medical Dictionary, © 2002 Merriam-Webster, Inc.
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axis ax·is (āk'sĭs)
n. pl. ax·es (āk'sēz')

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

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

  3. The second cervical vertebra. Also called epistropheus, vertebra dentata.

  4. An artery that divides into many branches at its origin.

The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
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Science Dictionary
axis   (āk'sĭs)  Pronunciation Key 
Plural axes (āk'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. The 23.45° tilt of the Earth's axis with respect to the plane of its orbit around the Sun causes the Northern and Southern Hemispheres to point toward and away from the Sun at different times of the year, creating seasonal patterns of weather and climate. Other planets in the solar system have widely varying tilts to their axes, ranging from near 0° for Mercury to 177° for Venus.

  2. Mathematics

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

    2. A reference line from which distances or angles are measured in a coordinate system, such as the x-axis and y-axis in the Cartesian coordinate system.

  3. Anatomy The second cervical vertebra, which serves as a pivot for the head.

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


axial adjective
The American Heritage® Science Dictionary
Copyright © 2002. Published by Houghton Mifflin. All rights reserved.
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