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.
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