In a plane cartesian coordinate system, the horizontal axis (x). Cf.:ordinate. [L. ab-scindo, pp. -scissus, to cut away from]
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ab·scis·sa (ab-sisґə) [L. (linea) abscissa cut-off line, from abscindere to cut off] the horizontal coordinate in a two-dimensional coordinate system; the horizontal distance of a point from y- (or vertical) axis. Denoted by x. Cf. ordinate.Medical dictionary. 2011.