[awr-dn-it, -eyt] 
| Mathematics. (in plane Cartesian coordinates) the y-coordinate of a point: its distance from the x-axis measured parallel to the y-axis. |
| or·di·nate (ôr'dn-ĭt, -āt') adj. Arranged in regular rows, as the spots on the wings of an insect. n. Symbol y The plane Cartesian coordinate representing the distance from a specified point to the x-axis, measured parallel to the y-axis. [Middle English, properly ordered, from Latin ōrdinātus, past participle of ōrdināre, to set in order, from ōrdō, ōrdin-, order; see ar- in Indo-European roots.] |
ordinate or·di·nate (ôr'dn-ĭt, -āt')
n.
The plane Cartesian coordinate representing the distance from a specified point to the x-axis, measured parallel to the y-axis.
| ordinate (ôr'dn-ĭt) Pronunciation Key
The distance of a point from the x-axis on a graph in the Cartesian coordinate system. It is measured parallel to the y-axis. For example, a point having coordinates (2,3) has 3 as its ordinate. Compare abscissa. |
ordinate mathematics
The y-coordinate on an (x,y) graph; the output of a function plotted against its input.
x is the "abscissa".
See Cartesian coordinates.
(1997-07-08)