Blue Flower

ABSCISSE, ABSCISSA, in Conies, a Part of the Diameter, or transverse Axis of a Conic Section, intercepted between the Vertex or Tome other fix'd Point, and a Semiordinate. See CONIC Section.

Such are the Lines AP, AP, &c. (Tab. Conics, Fig. 20.) intercepted between the Vertex A and the Semiordinates PM, PM, &c.

They are called Abscisses of the Latin Absindo, I cut off ; as being Parts cut off from the Axis. Others call 'em Sagittæ, Arrows. See SAGITTA.