axis
/ˈæksɪs/ noun, proper noun
Forms axes axiis axises
- noun (geometry) An imaginary line around which an object spins (an axis of rotation) or is symmetrically arranged (an axis of symmetry). “The Earth rotates once a day on its axis”
- noun (mathematics) 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)
- noun (anatomy) The second cervical vertebra of the spine
- noun (anatomy) An imaginary, visualized plane separating two morphologically similar parts of an organism
- noun (psychiatry) 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)
- noun (botany) The main stem or central part about which organs or plant parts such as branches are arranged
- noun (military) An alliance or coalition.
- noun (figurative) The centre of attention within a process (e.g. the axis of investigation)
- noun A deer native to Asia, of species Axis axis.
- proper noun The alliance (in effect before and during World War II) of Germany, Italy, Japan, and several minor allied countries, which opposed the Allies.
Synonyms
epistropheus pact compact league chital cheetal chital deer spotted deer axis deer the Axis Powers bloc axis vertebra axis of rotation
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.
From Latin, name of an Indian animal mentioned by the Roman senator Pliny.
From Mussolini's idea of "an axis around which nations could assemble".
Webster’s 1913
- noun The spotted deer (Cervus axis or Axis maculata) of India, where it is called hog deer and parrah (Moorish name).
- noun A straight line, real or imaginary, passing through a body, on which it revolves, or may be supposed to revolve; a line passing through a body or system around which the parts are symmetrically arranged.
- noun A straight line with respect to which the different parts of a magnitude are symmetrically arranged; as, the axis of a cylinder, i. e., the axis of a cone, that is, the straight line joining the vertex and the center of the base; the axis of a circle, any straight line passing through the center.
Etymology [L.]
Etymology [L. axis axis, axle. See Axle.]
Sources: Wiktionary · WordNet 3.0 · Webster’s 1913 — from the Wiktionary entry “axis”, CC BY-SA 4.0. Details