abscissa

n. distance of a coordinate from the the vertical axis (y-axis) of a graph measured on a line which is parallel to the horizontal axis (x-axis)

In mathematics, the Cartesian coordinate system (also called rectangular coordinate system) is used to determine each point uniquely in a plane through two numbers, usually called the x-coordinate and the y-coordinate of the point. To define the coordinates, two perpendicular directed lines (the x-axis or , and the y-axis or ), are specified, as well as the unit length, which is marked off on the two axes (see Figure 1). Cartesian coordinate systems are also used in space (where three coordinates are used) and in higher dimensions.
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n. abscissa, distance of a coordinate from the the vertical axis (y-axis) of a graph measured on a line which is parallel to the horizontal axis (x-axis)

(n.)
One of the elements of reference by which a point, as of a curve, is referred to a system of fixed rectilineal coordinate axes.
  

<mathematics> The horizontal or x coordinate on an (x, y) graph; the input of a function against which the output is plotted.
The vertical or y coordinate is the "ordinate".
See Cartesian coordinates.
(1997-07-08)