axis
Pronunciation: /ˈæksɪs/
The English word “axis” has 9 meanings listed here.
noun
- An imaginary line around which an object spins (an axis of rotation) or is symmetrically arranged (an axis of symmetry).
- A fixed one-dimensional figure, such as a line or arc, with an origin and orientation and such that its points are in one-to-one correspondence with a set of numbers; an axis forms part of the basis of a space or is used to position and locate data in a graph (a coordinate axis)
- The second cervical vertebra of the spine
- An imaginary, visualized plane separating two morphologically similar parts of an organism
- A form of classification and descriptions of mental disorders or disabilities used in manuals such as the DSM (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders)
- The main stem or central part about which organs or plant parts such as branches are arranged
- An alliance or coalition.
- The centre of attention within a process (e.g. the axis of investigation)
- A deer native to Asia, of species Axis axis.
Etymology
Borrowed from Latin axis (“axle, axis”) in the 16th century. Via Latin cognate with ala, aisle, atelier. Via Proto-Indo-European *h₂eḱs- cognate with inherited English axle and borrowed axo-, axon.
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Definitions are from Wiktionary, extracted by Kaikki.org, and are available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 licence.